VNEB: Development and Transport Action
Group
Newsletter Number Three: 12 September
2012
Report on public meeting with Lambeth
Council: 10 September
DATA,
along with a number of residents associations, has been pressing Lambeth
Council for several months to undertake due diligence for its support of the
TfL driven project to extend the Northern Line to underpin transport needs of
the VNEB development area. We were
pleased to learn at a meeting chaired by Val Shawcross on 10 September and
supported by Lambeth Council, that they have now appointed the Consultants
Ramboll to provide the technical due diligence that is necessary. We were also pleased to learn that Councillor
Lib Peck, the Cabinet Lead for Regeneration is taking a close interest in the
NLE project.
Val
Shawcross said that the meeting marked a new phase in the way in which Lambeth
was approaching the NLE proposal. Lambeth
Council invites residents to comment on the NLE and has asked Ramboll to assess
technical options to meet concerns raised. The Council will use this process to
challenge TfL so as to protect and promote the interests of residents.
The
agenda gave residents chance to discuss their views on siting of shafts, noise,
pollution, and other environmental impact issues. Serious concerns were
widespread. Val Shawcross, in the Chair, committed to a desire for highest
standards of noise minimisation and conservation. The consultants confirmed
that they would press for this. The meeting agenda did not include the question
of alternatives to the NLE, but it arose.
Reports
from some residents associations and Lambeth Council suggested that TfL are now
adjusting original NLE specifications to strengthen their public interests
brief rather than the maximised profit brief that had been adopted initially by
the now defunct Treasury Holdings. This included widening the tunnels
significantly to try to avoid one of the most controversial shafts and to be
able to install floating rail systems that would reduce noise. There were a
number of other areas where it was identified that additional costs would arise
to meet the higher standards desired. There was also confirmation that TfL
would need to fund the compulsory purchase orders needed to compensate for land
taken beneath freehold property.
DATA
made the point that this higher cost requirement would exacerbate an already
very serious shortfall in both funding and financing. Either a lot more
money/additional long term financing would need to be found, or compromises accepted
in the standards discussed.
The
Chair allowed a short discussion initiated by DATA which called into question
whether the NLE was indeed the right transport solution or a white elephant.
There was widespread popular vocal support for this question among residents,
many agreeing that insufficient consideration had been given to alternative options, and making
reference (as did DATA) to the TfL’s own consultants’ reports that show that
the Northern Line was already heavily
overcrowded
and would not easily be able to accommodate the increased traffic if extended
to Battersea. Val Shawcross added that significant alterations may be needed at
Kennington station for the large number of commuters to interchange safely, as
the NLE scheme required.
Some
residents groups said that they supported an extension of the Northern Line but
it emerged that a number were under the impression that there was no
alternative, or that the project was now unstoppable so they were focussing on
minimising its impact. This is an example of where TfL’s selective
marketing/use of statistics has created a misperception. There are other options
but TfL have dismissed many of them without real consideration. This includes
options that use existing infrastructure and new forms of transport to address
road transport congestion, parking, pedestrian access and cycling and which
also could integrate with wider transport initiatives such as CrossRail and
provide transport connections within
the development area. A NLE would do none of this.
Councillor
Peck has confirmed that Lambeth Council would press TfL for removal of the
gyratory and for improved cycling facilities, better bus services, and less
traffic congestion in the Vauxhall Supplementary Planning Document. But the
very high cost and stand-alone nature of the NLE makes it is difficult to see
how this can be achieved.
One residents
group from the Wandsworth Road
area was concerned that any NLE service would be full on departure from
Battersea, making it unusable by Nine Elms residents. They were also worried
about traffic and pedestrian concentrations to and from Nine Elms station in
the very narrow approach roads. Concerns were also raised that TfL might not
build a station at Nine Elms, just a box for future development, due to
shortage of funds. Lambeth Councillors and residents reacted to this strongly because
this station is acknowledged to be the only real benefit for Lambeth from the
NLE scheme, with most benefit going to neighbouring Wandsworth. The fairness of
Lambeth making such a large financial contribution to the NLE scheme, when most
benefits fall to Wandsworth, was questioned.
DATA
asked for a further public meeting to discuss whether the NLE was indeed the
right transport strategy for the VNEB development. DATA was directed to discuss
with Ward Councillors. DATA agreed with
Councillor Lib Peck and a senior representative of the Consultants, Ramboll, to
remain in touch and exchange information. DATA has, separately, also had
confirmation that TfL is ready to resume discussions and is waiting for dates.
There was common ground at the meeting that the
original Treasury Holdings proposals for a NLE were based on profit over people
and money over mobility, something TfL have also acknowledged. Is it not
reasonable, in the light of this admission, to ask for a review of whether the
decision to ignore all other options and opt for a NLE was based on the same
profit rather than transport benefit motive?
A development the size of the VNEB, and the
complexity of Lambeth’s transport challenges, requires an independent strategic
transport needs analysis. So much
depends on getting this right. The transport strategy should give priority to the
needs of residents and integrate with wider transport initiatives, such as
CrossRail, making a reality the Mayor’s vision of an integrated transport and
fare network across London.
