Meeting with Tfl reps and Network Rail sets out plans

At a meeting on Monday night in the Rocket, organised by Sara Nathan (Chair of the Churchfield Community Association), over 70 people including local councillors Vlod Barchuk, Yvonne Johnson, John Gallagher, London Assembly member Murad Qureshi (Labour), Parliamentary candidates Bassam Mahfouz (Labour) and Angie Bray (Conservative) sat listening to explanations, apologies and excuses from representatives of TfL (Myriam Walberger), Kate Stone of Network Rail, Mungo Duncan, NLRIP Project Manager for London Overground and Brian Woodhouse, Programme interface manager.

The North London Line is being shut down east of Gospel Oak for three months from February 20th until May 31st plus total closure every Sunday for fifteen months (locals are reluctantly acclimatised to not having any service on Sundays).

The reason for this is to improve the line for the Olympic Games in 2012 and to give the line the long-awaited four car capability; also to allow an eight trains per hour service east of Camden Road. In order to do this it is necessary to replace some three track sections with four tracks.

For most local users, it seems as though the service is being dramatically reduced for very little gain, although members of the public were promised "four trains an hour without service interruptions".

Just as the meeting was about to close, a bombshell was dropped into the proceedings by Jerry Gold (who used to work at London Travelwatch and now keeps an eye on TfL Board meetings).

He said: "At the TfL board meeting on 3rd February Mr. Ian Brown (Managing Director of TfL London Rail) reported that the Gospel Oak - Stratford blockade is going ahead as planned, but the signalling part of the works is to be deferred until after the Olympics.

"This raises major questions about the validity of Ms. Wallburger's assurance that the full 4 trains per hour all day and every day service would be delivered in 2011. Also, as the signalling work [has been stressed] as a major reason for the two years of Sunday closures, it raised the question of whether these would have to be repeated once the signalling work eventually starts."

Ms Walburger and Mr Duncan expressed surprise at this report of Mr.Brown's remarks and agreed to investigate urgently and report back.

TfL told the meeting how they had taken over the Overground concession (from Silverlink) in 2007 and that there had been no investment in the network for 30 years. Improvements after the forthcoming closures include accurate information, overhauling the entire PA system, CCTV equipment, and real-time information screens. Also, extending platforms at 30 stations, upgrading the signalling (see below) and 'embellishing' the power which should all lead to what they are calling an 'enhanced system'.

By June 2011 the whole thing, according to the officials present, has to be ready.

There were many questions from the public and politicians at the meeting - especially about why Sunday users have to be so victimised by the works. (reply: "The impact of Sundays is the lesser evil.")

Reassurance was given that if regular users need to travel through Zone 1 in order to complete their journeys, they won't have to pay extra (this will be dealt with by an Oyster refund and/or customer services if there are any problems). Since this is the first time a refund scheme like this has happened, it is not known how well this will work but the officials have confidence that it will but, when pressed, admitted there were "lots of unknowns" in all of this.

There are moves afoot to try and make it possible for passengers to also use the 266 as buses are not currently included as an alternative travel option.

Vlod Barchuk expressed concerns that the necessary work would actually be finished by the end of May; Angie Bray said she was disappointed that work benefitting mainly North Londoners had to affect West London Overground users to such an extent; John Gallagher expressed concerns about safety at South Acton Station which some people avoid using because they feel it is so dangerous; Bassam Mahfouz was worried that customer services will not be up to scratch on the complex ticketing refund issues. Murad Qureshi said London Overground must have been aware of the state of the network when they took it over and that "the reality [of the works] is more stark that you're letting on."

Jerry Gold then threw his bombshell into the room which made most people present question whether the closures will indeed bring the benefits promised, and made it seem very likely that more closures should be expected after the Olympics.

The officials present looked startled, said they would have to look into this and everyone dispersed.

February 13, 2010