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RESIDENTS JOURNAL
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IN THE KNOW
THE ROUTE
The proposed Crossrail 2 route links
Wimbledon in the south-west to Alexandra
Palace in the north, with stops at key
locations across the city, such as Clapham
Junction, Victoria, Euston and Seven Sisters.
The current consultation has discussed the
various options for a stop in Chelsea, which
would alleviate the pressure on the District
Line, and join previously ill-connected parts
of the area to the rest of London.
HOW IT WILL IMPROVE
YOUR COMMUTE
In terms of journey times, passengers
travelling between Wimbledon and other
potential south-west regional stops, to and
from Chelsea, and across the city towards
The Journal decodes the latest plans for the Crossrail 2 project
the north-east will benet most from the
new scheme. Current journey times from
Wimbledon to Chelsea are more than
40 minutes (according to TfL Journey
Planner) but TfL and Network Rail claim
that the new Crossrail 2 line will cut this to
only nine minutes. Similarly, commuters
travelling between Clapham Junction and
Chelsea will have their current 30-minute
journey reduced to just three minutes
by the proposed route. Consequently,
Wimbledon and Battersea residents,
or those travelling through the Clapham
Junction hub, will also benet from shorter
journey times into central London via
Victoria or Euston stations.
Another aim of the project is to
reduce the stress on already-overcrowded
commuter trains in and out of the city
during rush hours, a problem which will
OPINION CORNER
We asked local residents to tell us what
they think about the proposal:
Shortening journey times between
south-west and central London can only
be a good thing.
Annabel Jones, Wimbledon, via Twitter
Anything that makes a commute
into the City easier gets my vote, but I
dread to think of the chaos awaiting us
during construction.
Joshua Lent, East Putney, via email
It would be great to see an extended line
out to Twickenham; it would really help
to reduce crowds on our streets during
rugby matches.
Ben Long, Twickenham, via Facebook
Ill not argue with the need for more
space on our commuter trains during
rush hour, but how will such a large
construction project affect our village life?
Im concerned that a new rail link will
affect the feel of our community.
Gloria Dewilter, Barnes, via email
A new rail system will keep London
on-track with other cities around
the world.
Gareth Lands, Richmond, via email
([Link])
only worsen over the next 15 years, as
experts predict a population growth in
London and surrounding areas of around
10 million by 2030.
WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN
For the next two years, TfL and Network
Rail are in the development and analysis
stages of the project, with nalisation due
to take place sometime between 2016 and
2019. The 2020-2030 decade will be taken
up with construction and testing, with
Crossrail 2 designated to open to the public
in the early 2030s.
POSSIBLE SOUTH-WEST EXTENSION
Although still in the very early stages, plans
are afoot to extend the Crossrail 2 route out
Crossrail 2 Regional Route (courtesy of TfL)
Planning applications
DATE RECEIVED: 12 June
ADDRESS: South Park Road
PROPOSAL: Erection of four two-
bedroom apartments
DATE RECEIVED: 19 June
ADDRESS: Coombe Lane
PROPOSAL: Extension of two existing
dormer windows on front roof slope
DATE RECEIVED: 20 June
ADDRESS: Kilmington Road
PROPOSAL: Single-storey rear extension
DATE RECEIVED: 23 June
ADDRESS: Palewell Park
PROPOSAL: Single-storey rear/side
extension
Planned roadworks and closures in and around August
STREET PLANNED WORK DATES WORKS OWNER
Bushwood Road Customer side leakage supply pipe
replacement
13-15 August Thames Water 0845 9200 800
Charteld Avenue Footway reconstruction both sides of
the road
11-22 August Wandsworth 020 8871 6000
Chiswick Bridge Upgrading the parapets of Chiswick
Bridge and carrying out concrete repairs
Until 6 February
2015
Transport For London 0845 305 1234
McKay Road Storage for cabin, materials and welfare
facilities
Until 8 August Southern Gas Networks 0845 026 0015
into the south and south-west commuter
belt, with Twickenham, Kingston, Surbiton
and Epsom featuring as potential station
options. Crossrail and TfL are not currently
consulting on this extension, but will be
gathering opinions on the project as and
when plans become more concrete, so
keep a lookout on its website, or in future
Journals for details on how you can make
your thoughts known.
WHAT THE EXPERTS HAVE TO SAY
ABOUT IT
Mayor of London Boris Johnson maintains
that the benets to the city are multifaceted.
If London and its economy are to keep
moving, then its essential we crack on
and get Crossrail 2 delivered, he says.
Its a vital project not just for the capital,
but also for the regions from which hordes
of commuters struggle into work on packed
carriages each day. As weve seen with
Crossrail 1, major transport developments
like this have an enormous role to play
not only in boosting capacity, but also
in galvanising economic development
and unlocking the potential for jobs
and homes.
Opinions from the transport network
also focused on the problems facing
Londons commuters and the benets
Crossrail 2 would offer, with Network Rails
group strategy director Paul Plummer
pointing out that Londons railways are
already the busiest and most congested
in the country, with many main lines
operating at, or close to, capacity. n
Proposed Crossrail train exterior, courtesy of TfL
WORDS / Kate Jennion