CROSS Rail 2 - Top of Honeywell Road Proposal Post Reply

[mealsonwheels]

Just seen the e bulletin from the local council re Cross Rail 2. Having opposed it being by Skylark (which I am glad they aren't doing) they are now proposing it on the other side of the common by the duck pond by Bollingbroke Grove, which is also enjoyed by lots of children and a beautiful open green space. Anyone else completely oppose this? Can't they find somewhere else, rather than spoiling Wandsworth Common? See below details...

Under this latest proposal a ventilation & access shaft would be constructed on the edge of Wandsworth Common opposite the junction of Honeywell Road and Bolingbroke Grove. See the Wimbledon to Clapham Junction fact sheet above. On completion of the works at such a shaft site an above-ground structure, called a “head-house”, remains in situ. Such a building is usually at least 2 storeys high and occupies an area of about 25m x 25m. For examples of a “green design” and a heritage design at other sites see https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossr ... ads/g2.pdf

As part of this consultation TfL / Crossrail2 are organising a series of drop in events where more details will be available and specific questions can be addressed including at:

3 Balham Grove SW12 8AY between 12pm & 8pm on 27th & 28th November
York Garden Library, SW11 2UG between 12pm & 8pm on 9th & 10th December
Outside 7-9 Bellevue Road SW17 7EG between 11am & 4pm on 12th December
Golf Centre, Burntwood Lane SW17 0AT between 12pm & 8pm on 14th December
We have asked TfL to arrange an additional event in Northcote ward near the proposed site for a shaft but to date they have not agreed to do so.

Responses to the consultation, which closes on 8th January 2016, can be made through the website www.crossrail2.co.uk or in writing to FREEPOST, Crossrail 2 Consultations.

[GWcouns]

Its going to be great having such local access to cross rail - and if we want to enjoy the benefits of new infrastructure then there are certain consequences to bear. Lot of Nimby-ism around all this - I live just off Wands Common and so am in a position to have a moan if I want to but I think the pro's for this project greatly outweigh the con's. Lots of children do play on the common, you're right (including mine) - but there are 170 acres to choose from!

*Steps away from computer and puts on ear defenders*

[this_is_cat]

Have you agree with Funnygirl

This all smacks of Nimbyism.
There are plenty of structures on and around the common, and we all seem to miraculously be able to survive AND find space for children to play despite them.
I don't think one more is going to be the End of Days. Let's concentrate on the advantages it will bring to the area and not be so negative!

[jg75]

As far as I can see this all stems from the fact that the proposed station is being moved from Tooting Broadway to Balham (because the station at Tooting Broadway would cost twice as much and take much longer to build). Both proposed routes run under my property, so I have no vested interest in proposing one route over the other, but I did think that the original plans for the ventilation shafts were much worse in terms of disruption to children's services, traffic etc. I therefore won't be opposing the Honeywell Road proposal without being presented with a viable alternative because I frankly can't see where they are going to put this ventilation shaft. I don't think it's sensible to oppose a plan without any alternative being put forward. And wherever the ventilation shafts are proposed, there are going to be people who live nearby and will of course oppose it.

[Livinginsw11]

Be careful what you wish for.
Nimbyism may be a bit strong in this case but we want good transport to the area and so must have ventilation shafts along the route.
The original protest was against a shaft being put on the otherside of the tracks near buildings, so giving much less impact in the long term. Yes maybe our children may have had to go to another part of the common to kick a ball but now we will have a building where none was before.
Object to this and it may end up in someones garden along the route. Then you will have something to moan about.

[Nims]

Any site that Crossrail propose will attract criticism...we said no to Wandsworth common, so now they propose somewhere else...and we are still saying no.

They have to put it somewhere and where is the perfect site?

People are quick to object but do not offer any solutions in return to their response. Think of the benefits Crossrail will bring - yes there will be disruptions but surely it will be worth it when it's all done and dusted. If not Wandsworth common, then Honeywell road...if not Honeywell road, then where?

[firsttimerSW11]

re Honeywell Road ventilation shafts, I think it's a fair tradeoff given that most of them get automatic entry into one of the most sought after state schools in the country.



#wrongforum?

[HappyMumSW11]

i think it's great for us - we keep complaining in the south that we don't have enough transports but with this new crossrail, we are better connected. it think it's really positive

[MGMidget]

Does anyone know if there are any similar structures like this that have already been built in London? I think it would be useful to know so we can get a better idea of what to expect both in terms of the final outcome and also what the disruption will be and for how long. One concern I have is that Bollingbroke Grove tends to get very congested at certain times already so I wonder what's going to happen during the works.

I thinks its a shame to lose Common land but then again where else can they put it? Ideally a brown field site perhaps but where? Also, I'm interested to find out if why they need so many ventilation shafts in quick succession.

[MGMidget]

And I also think Crossrail 2 will bring a lot of benefits to the area! I agree we should be careful not to object to everything as alternative proposals could be worse. The current proposals are worse for me (tunnel running under my road) but if they are the best option for the majority then so be it.

[slipperywhippet]

I don't think anyone is saying Crossrail 2 is not a benefit, they would just like some answers and discussion about alternatives, what it will involve really....access to info that TfL are citing. People are not stupid and they would like intelligent people to respond intelligently...

The construction sites are pretty massive and there will be a lot of disruption...plus, TfL shouldn't think they can just build whatever they want without some questions or there won't be much left of the common.

I don't know why nimbyism has developed such bad connotations...no one seemed to mind it when the other side of the common were shouting it...and we should all fight common land being taken, if no other alternative can be really be found then so be it.

[Jen66]

By the time Crossrail2 is completed most of us will be too old to use it !

[jg75]

But our kids won't. And there is no way London will be able to cope with the increase in population without better transport links. I'm not particularly looking forward to years of disruption, traffic, building site, either, but I think we just have to accept this and move on. Obviously I am going to try and go to one of the consultation meetings, find out more, find out whether the planned disruption can be lessened in any way, but there is absolutely no point in just opposing the plan without any better suggestions.

[DonJ]

Am I right in thinking that the site of this new shaft also places this two storey structure bang in the sight line of some peoples properties alongside the common, ruining the very view they doubtless paid dearly for?