West End Lane update on roadworks, streetscape and Thameslink station upgrade

A couple of people asked me about progress on the various things happening on West End Lane, and council officers have provided the following information. Some delays but things still broadly on track, a sensible Council decision on the Iverson Rd raised platform, and some potential changes to the station upgrade due to costs that are difficult to fully assess:

West Hampstead Thameslink Station Upgrade - As part of Network Rail’s Thameslink project for the upgrading and expansion of the network, there are several initiatives planned at West Hampstead Station. These include platform lengthening to accommodate 12 carriage trains, a new pedestrian bridge with step free access linking to a new station building on Iverson Road and a new public space between West End Lane and the station building. In December 2009, the Council gave Prior Approval (a form of planning permission) to Network Rail for the station building and public space.

Network Rail recently informed the Council that they are reviewing the detailed design of the proposals to examine potential efficiency savings. However, there are no plans to make fundamental changes to the station building size, public realm, access or station functionality. However given the current economic climate Network Rail have told us that they need to demonstrate best value for money across all projects and have identified ways to reduce cost through adapting the design and construction methods to best suit operational requirements. Network Rail is required to resubmit their Prior Approval before these changes are considered by the Council. Our Planning section is expecting a Prior Approval application in the next two weeks. We are anticipating a three week period for the public to comment on the proposals before a decision is made by Camden.

West Hampstead Interchange Streetscape Project - The project led by Camden Council aims to improve the public realm on West End Lane and Iverson Road as well as providing a streetscape design which could be applied to the wider West Hampstead Town Centre if funding is secured.

Following the detailed design of the project, Council transport policy officers have held detailed discussions with the Council’s Highways Management Team about the project currently being undertaken by utilities and the need to coordinate our works to ensure minimum impact of the works on traffic. We have agreed to start our works after the completion of the utility works hence our public realm improvements are due to start in mid September 2010.

As a result of our detailed design, it has been necessary to make a minor change to the Iverson Road raised table pedestrian crossing. This was originally proposed to be laid with granite setts. However, our detailed design showed that constructing the table in granite would have required Iverson Road to be closed for eight weeks (laying granite setts is very time consuming and requires significant time for the mortar to set). We did not feel that it was acceptable to disrupt traffic for this extended period and therefore we looked at various options to reduce the length of construction. As a result, we are now proposing to construct the raised table out of asphalt with granite setts on the ramps. Constructing the raised table out of asphalt would only take four weeks which we feel is a more reasonable time for the road to be closed. There would also be a small reduction in cost which is likely to be used to upgrade some sections of poor footways north of Sumatra Road.

National Grid roadworks - National Grid are still undertaking their replacement works and progress has not been as quick as expected. The works are due for completion in mid September, about two weeks later than originally planned.

Council transport officers have been meeting the supervisor for the recent EdF Energy works tomorrow to establish further realistic timescales, and the reasons behind the slower progress, and will be updating councillors afterwards.