There is an intriguing article on the Edgware Times website today (click target="_blank"> HERE to see). The plans are fleshed out in greater detail on the Campaign for Better Transport website and http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/london_local_group.
One of my biggest objections to the various regeneration schemes in Barnet is the lack of infrastructure. Looking at these plans, it seems that maybe, at last, a bit of thought is being put into addressing some of these issues. What is interesting about these plans is just how much of the scheme is utilising, disused or underused existing railways. One of my biggest bugbears is just how difficult it is to get across the borough, East to West. Since the demise of Edgware general, people wuch as my aunt who lives in Mill Hill, have a nightmare journey to get to Barnet Hospital. This scheme, if fully implemented would make this journey far easier, with a connection from Mill Hill Copthall to Finchley Central, then a tube trip to Barnet. Linking the two branches of the Northern Line (Colindale to Finchley Central) is a masterstroke. It is also worth noting that it makes many school trips far more practical using public transport. This scheme is good for the environment, good for the travelling public and good for Barnet businesses. As such I fully support it.
The new line has links to Finchley Central in the North, Wembley stadium, Brent Cross, Brent Park retail,and West London for connections to Heathrow. I'd imagine that for many workers it would offer a quicker and easier journey than the current clogged A41 to Brent Cross. I'd also like to see a station for the RAF Museum at Hendon. It is scandalous that this hasn't got a proper transport link. Less car journeys will be required across the borough, so motorists should see benefits as well.
There is much talk about the need for Infrastructure projects to kick start the economy. This is one I'd give a wholehearted thumbs up to. It is no surprise that sensible Councillors who have a long standing association with Barnet such as Conservative John Hart and Labour Geoff Cooke are championing the scheme. I sincerely hope that the full council follows the bipartisan approach that these two fine councillors are showing and throw their full weight behind the scheme. This may even be a scheme that causes the rest of London to take note and admire our foresight.
8 comments:
Rog
The article in the Times estimates the cost of this project to be £16 billion, which in reality means £32 billion.
Where is the money going to come from? The country is already bankrupt?
David,
Given that this will deliver huge benefits for the next hundred or so years, borrow it. We get something for our money, so borrowing is justified and presumably we'll get a return.
Rog
Borrowing money for necessary capital infrastructure improvements, over the lifetime of that asset, is fine in principle but as David Cameron has pointed out, Gordon Brown has already maxed out the nation's credit card. Unless and until we cut out all wasteful and unnecessary expenditure, we simply cannot afford to take on any more debt.
The current economic crisis has taught us that we simply must learn to live within our means.
Given the government’s record on large scale public works projects, do you believe that this idea could be delivered on time and on budget?
Seems to benefit a lot of people in Ealing, Brent and Camden. Can't see any direct use of this to anyone in Chipping Barnet.
At least this is more sensible than borrowing money for 25 years to resurface roads.
And even if we can borrow the money, who will be the “we” repaying it? National taxpayers or local ratepayers within the boroughs affected? Another mill on top of the Olympic bill!
David,
I've been checking and I'm pretty sure that the £16 Billion referred to in the article is the cost of Crossrail. Light rail projects are far cheaper than this.
Like any project such as this, the costs should be met by the beneficiaries. Who benefits from this most, the travelling public, developers, residents who see appreciation in their property values, Brent Cross shopping centre.
As someone who can easily traverse High Barnet to Grahame Park Way quicker on a bike than the current bus and tube services I'd agree this would be a real improvement. Public transport in general to/from central london is ok, if you want to go round london it sucks.
In terms of funding I have my doubts whether it would ever come to much, Daniel Hope's comment reflects a certain prevalent "we're alright jack" attitude where stuff crosses political boundaries which means getting a lot of people on board can be incredibly difficult, one of the best examples of this is The Croxley Rail Link aka putting the Met line station(s) near the town centre where they might actually be more useful (which looks like it might be on the cusp of actually going ahead). I certainly would have used this service when I was doing a student placement in Watford and travelling to Uxbridge on a regular basis.
Not at all, I just think looking at the scheme that it will no doubt benefit some but is going to have a much larger impact to surrounding Boroughs than to the vast bulk of the residents in Barnet. Let's hope most rate payers in Barnet don't get saddled with huge debts for something that most won't benefit from for an unwanted development of rabbit hutch flats to hit govt targets.
I cannot answer your 'i'm alright jack / political comments' as I cannot work out what you are talking about, I'm afraid.
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