10:38am Friday 5th February 2010
According to last week’s Your Views, the Brent Cross developers say: ‘We will be working in the coming weeks and months to address a number of the myths that appear to have developed around the scheme.’ It is no myth public consultation has been arrogant and meaningless. This is because the Development Framework of 2004 has been treated as an approved plan, instead of just planning guidance.
It is no myth Cricklewood Station will probably close, when Brent Cross Thameslink Station opens.
Network Rail admits no train which calls at Kentish Town, Cricklewood, or Hendon would ever stop at Brent Cross, owing to congestion on this London-to-Sheffield mainline railway — even though Brent Cross is supposed to be a ‘new major local transport hub’.
Since the planning inspector for Brent Cross wanted to protect Cricklewood Station from closure, the developers are prepared to spend money on it, but this is likely to be prohibited.
You cannot build 14 million sq ft of property and expect Barnet not to suffer even more road congestion.
That is why we in the London Campaign for Better Transport (www.tiny.cc/LondonCBT) are campaigning for light-rail lines at Brent Cross, extending to Finchley Central via Colindale in the north, Wembley in the west, and West Hampstead in the south. Strangely, Transport for London has agreed to move the Brent Cross bus station alongside the ten-lane North Circular Road.
TfL approved the removal of bus lanes on the A5 Edgware Road, since nothing must get in the way of the extra Brent Cross car traffic on the roads.
Along with a new bus-friendly road bridge, TfL also approved brutal metal pedestrian bridges everywhere, which means people will only live at Brent Cross because they have to, not because they want to.
The Secretary of State can still call in the planning application for a public inquiry.
Thankfully, there are 13 residents associations and many other people in a Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Plan — see www.tiny.cc/BXblog.
Please examine the evidence and decide for yourself.
John Cox, Chelsea Close, Brent
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