kingscrossaccess

Why is this bridge important for Islington and Camden?

Click here to see a short but detailed presentation showing the reasons this campaign exists.

Click here to see a short but detailed presentation showing the reasons this campaign exists.

Emily of Islington spearheads community concerns

Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, has taken the case made by community campaigners against the so-called business case study for Battlebridge Crossing (aka the Wharfdale Road bridge) directly to LB Islington.

In a letter to the Islington and Camden press campaigners put the case that the study, commissioned by LB Islington, was contracted to a transport consultancy (Colin Buchanan) with a vested interest in its outcome. Further, the study was of such a poor standard that it should never have seen the light of day, let alone having been funded from the public purse.

Emily Thornberry has taken up the cause with LB Islington Chief Executive John Foster; she says:

"I agree that any piece of work commissioned with public money should provide good value and I share concerns that this exercise may have been flawed. I would be grateful for your comments."

At present LB islington plans to discuss the flawed report with Network Rail at September's West Area Planning Committee. We have asked whether this discussion should go ahead at all. 

Until a real business case is made for the bridge, using the increasing number of red herring type reports and studies can only assist developers with their refusal to fund a much needed business and community asset for Camden, Islington, Transport for London, Network Rail, Eurostar, the Government.... (the list goes on).

LB Islington pledges support

At the West Area Planning Committee meeting last night Network Rail gave a presentation on the station redevelopment. Luckily, Andy Mitchell didn't spend too long on the detail of the feasibility study. We already know that the feasibility study carried out by Network Rail on options for a bridge across the tracks didn't look at the simplest option, it only looked at complicated options that everyone knew were not feasible anyway! A healthy discussion followed, after which it was easy to feel sorry for the Network Rail reps who had a hard time defending the indefensible.

At the end of the debate, Cllr Paul Convery, of Caledonian Ward, put a resolution to the Committee and it was unanimously agreed - total cross-party support! Thanks must go to all who took part in the debate, especially Will Perrin, for their insightful and well-informed questions.

The resolution reads:

"That this committee welcomes the redevelopment of King’s Cross station and the contribution this will make to London’s largest transport hub and to the overall regeneration of the King’s Cross area.

That the committee welcomes Network Rail’s commitment to retain the current NE entrance until the scaffolding on York Way is removed.

That the committee urge Camden Council to recommission a study into the feasibility of a landmark bridge that will extend Wharfdale Road as a pedestrian and cycle route spanning all the tracks to take York Way foot and cycle traffic to the King’s Cross central boulevard and to the western concourse.

That Islington and Camden Councils be recommended jointly to seek a funding solution for a bridge with Network Rail, TfL, Argent St George and the Department of Transport."