The road to ruin: anger at ‘underhand’ idea to bulldoze leafy lane

4:37pm Thursday 12th June 2008

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Plans to bulldoze a leafy Mill Hill lane and turn it into a major highway were met with anger last weekend.

More than 50 residents gathered at the Railway Engineer pub, in Sanders Lane, to launch a campaign to fight the proposals.

They believe they have been deliberately misled about Barnet Council's plan to turn the pedestrianised country lane, which has been there for 36 years, into a two-lane highway.

The news only came to public attention a fortnight ago when a planning officer made a casual remark about it during a public consultation meeting.

The proposal forms part of a major council development plan outlined in the Mill Hill East Area Action Plan (MHEAAP), currently under consultation.

But residents say its inclusion in the plan was not brought to their attention. They voiced anger at the potential loss of an amenity they say has fostered a unique community atmosphere enjoyed by pedestrians and cyclists, and which is a habitat for wildlife.

Jackie Norwood, who helped instigate the Save Sanders Lane campaign, said: "No one knew about this. The council will say that it's in the plans, but that's a 122-page document and it's only mentioned in three paragraphs.

"Everyone in the proximity should have been informed individually. The council has gone about this in an underhand fashion."

Valeria Acerbi, 47, of Sanders Lane and the Bittacy and Sanders Residents Association (BASRA), said: "People walk through to get to the station, which cuts down on people using their cars.

"It's a community - we're neighbours and friends - because people can talk to each other. There are many schools around and children walk to them, but if it was a two-lane highway they would have to take the car."

Hendon MP Andrew Dismore, who attended the campaign launch, said he was "absolutely horrified" to hear of the plans.

"I had to look at my watch to see if it was April 1, it's such a barmy idea," he said. "The plans might as well have been locked downstairs in a basement room with mind the tiger' on the door."

The council insists no decision has been made on Sanders Lane and it is not fundamental to the Mill Hill East development, which will bring up to 3,000 new homes to the area as well a new primary school and hundreds of jobs.

A spokesman said: "We are currently carrying out a feasibility study into re-establishing this link from Devonshire Road to Bittacy Hill as part of a strategic investigation into improving east to west movement across the borough.

"The council has not agreed any scheme and there is no funding allocated. Any future proposals will be subject to public scrutiny and comment."

However, the council's corporate plan states the conversion of the lane into a road will be completed in March 2011.

Mr Dismore said the decision appeared to be "a done deal", a sentiment backed by Mill Hill Liberal Democrat councillor Jeremy Davies.

"It's clear someone's pushing it in the council and it hasn't been thought through," said Mr Davies. "Someone wants to open the lane come hell or high water.

"I haven't been consulted so I think it's being pushed through the back door and that's wrong."

The MHEAAP is currently being considered by a Government planning inspector and residents have less than two weeks to raise any objections.

To join the Save Sanders Lane campaign click on the link below or call 0793 982 1905.