Crossrail the key to Northern regeneration

by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
06/08/2008

Hammersmith and Fulham Council is calling for a new Crossrail station in the north of the borough to act as a catalyst for regeneration.

The council has been pushing for a Crossrail station where the new east-west route is set to cross the existing, north-south, West London Line. 

The council believes there is tremendous regeneration potential in much of the 100 acres of railway land to the north of Wormwood Scrubs.

The railway land includes the North Pole depot and Old Oak Common sidings – part of which is earmarked for a Crossrail depot. The North Pole Depot has been lying idle since train servicing operations were moved out to east-London.

If the council is successful in getting the new Crossrail station built, it could kick start the construction of new homes, shops and businesses in the area. 

Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh, H&F Council Leader, said: “Let’s be clear – there are no plans to develop anything in this area at the moment and Crossrail will not be up and running until 2017 at the earliest. All of these ideas are at an embryonic stage.

“What the council is saying is that, if we can persuade the Department for Transport and Transport for London to build a Crossrail station here we can see huge regenerative benefits flowing from that.

“A Crossrail station here could release the untapped potential of this part of the borough and make it a very attractive site for new homes, shops and businesses.”

The current plans for Crossrail would see trains, which will travel underground between Westbourne Park and east London, pass through the north of the borough without stopping. 

Under the existing proposals the nearest Crossrail station would be Acton Main Line, which is more than a mile away from H&F and provides no interchange with any other rail services. 

Cllr Greenhalgh added: “Regeneration to the north of Wormwood Scrubs would help us meet our target of building 6,500 new homes in the next 10 years as well as allowing more people to enjoy this wonderful area of wildlife habitat.

“We will continue to lobby for a Crossrail station to be built in the north of the borough as we believe it could unlock huge benefits for local residents.”

The North Pole and Old Oak Common depots include land between the Scrubs and the Grand Union Canal.