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Willesden Junction Station

May 17, 2010

I am one of a number of concerned residents of Harlesden that have been campaigning for improvements to the entrances of Willesden Junction station, particularly Station Approach.
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We feel that it is currently in a terrible state both aesthetically and in terms of pedestrian safety, especially those that are disabled or with a pushchair. Considering the importance of the station as a hub for London Overground & the Bakerloo line, as well as serving 7 bus routes in the area we feel that Harlesden residents and the business community of Park Royal deserves better, to that end we have been collecting signatures at the station for a petition to show the level of discontent in the area, to date we have about 600 signatories. Heres the online petition, please sign it, it takes 30 seconds!
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As Network Rail will be commencing work to stabilise the embankment shortly, we feel this is an opportunity to address the larger picture, not just fill holes!
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We, a collective of residents working under the banner of Harlesden Town Team, [which is an umbrella group for local residents associations, namely the Junction Association, and Rucklidge Avenue Association] have approached Network Rail, TfL, LB Ealing, LB Brent, & LB H&F about setting up a masterplan for the station, we hope to be included in their upcoming stakeholders meeting to discuss their plans. We feel it is important to get as many residents views of the station as possible, as well as the views of the business community.
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I have designed a visualisation of the current situation at the station, showing the inherent dangers and problems of the station entrance, focusing mainly on the Station Approach entrance, as Network Rail are evaluating what works need to be done to the embankment which appears to be crumbling due to subsidence .
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visualisation of the current situation at Willesden Junction station, showing problems and dangers.
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This diagram highlights the terrible state of the road and paths used to enter Station Approach.
  • Orange shade: Station Road meets Station Approach; Broken road surface, uneven and pot-holed. Dangerous for vehicles entering the station forecourt, as well as the pedestrians crossing the road on Station Road, especially the disabled and those with pushchairs.
  • Blue shaded zone represents the embankment crumbling because of subsidence, which is de-stabilising the pavements and road above.
  • Red Shade: South Side is the embankment thats crumbling; currently Network Rail have just blocked this pavement off, the north side is not much better, pot-holed, uneven and narrow. The state of both pavements forces pedestrians, cyclists, buses, taxis, maintenance vehicles ALL to share the road surface, which is itself unsafe! Extremely unnerving for those with pushchairs or in a wheelchair.
  • Pink zone represents the northern embankment, nearest the Overground/Bakerloo line tracks, which are permanently littered, both disgusting and encourages rodents and foxes. Not cleared regularly at all.
  • Generally: there aren’t enough lights or bins, and the state of Station Approach puts people off using the station unless necessary, as it makes people feel unsafe, also the general filth encourages others to mistreat it, by littering. As well as discouraging businesses from investing in the area due to the neglect from the councils and Network Rail

PLEASE, Sign our petition to get Network Rail, TfL, LOROL, and LB Brent, LB Ealing, LB Hammersmith & Fulham to create a masterplan to fix this shoddy and shameful station.

Written by Benamin · Filed Under Local Campains 

Clean this filthy station

March 17, 2010

A petition was signed by over 200 people who are demanding the filthy approach to Willesden Junction station is cleaned up.

Residents say they are sick of the dilapidated state of the road, the ownership of which had long been disputed.

After a Chronicle investigation last month, it was established the land, which falls in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, is the responsibility of the Network Rail.

And last week, a group of residents, led by the Keep Harlesden Clean group, clubbed together to crank up the pressure on Network Rail by gathering signatures. They will present the petition to the council.

Keep Harlesden Clean’s Hayley Borg said:”Willesden Junction has been a thorn in many residents’ eyes for a long time. There is rubbish everywhere on the embankment, the road is falling apart, and so is the pavement. It is unsafe, looks awful and is just not a very welcoming environment.

“Brent council, with the help of an outside organisation and residents of the area, is currently developing a vision for Harlesden and we believe Willesden Junction must be part of this vision. Something must be done sooner rather than later. Network Rail should not be allowed to get away with this once again. Harlesden just deserves better.”

Network Rail pledged to take action on the site in the future. (source: www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk)

Written by admin · Filed Under Local Campains 

Wilesden Junction petition to Brent council, Hammersmith & Fulham council and Network RailShare

March 11, 2010

As the gateway to Harlesden the state of Willesden Junction Station is a severe disappointment. For many years it has been in a state of neglect, with rubbish everywhere and the station approach full of pot holes. We residents are sick of commuting to and from such an awful station and so have organised a petition to Brent council, Hammersmith & Fulham council and Network Rail (all of who own parts of the station) to take immediate co-ordinated action to improve and then maintain the station environment.

We will be at the station this Thursday between 5 – 6pm getting signatures and have invited several local newspapers and have the support of the local police. Your support for our cause would be much appreciated and so we’d like to invite you to come down and sign our petition.

Written by admin · Filed Under Local Campains 

Letter to Boris Johnson

February 25, 2010

Dear Mr Johnson

Re: Willesden Junction Tube Station

I am writing to you regarding the tube station outlined above and to complain to you about the lack of commitment by the councils and Network Rail to do anything about the land around Willesden Junction tube station and the road leading up to it.

Willesden Junction is probably the main tube station for the Harlesden area. Although it is about 10 minutes from the centre of Harlesden, it is closer than Harlesden tube station to where all the shops are located. The station is very busy and is also the access point to some parts of the Park Royal industrial area.

Despite the fact that the station is so busy, the area around it has been badly neglected. Not only are there huge amounts of rubbish on the embankment leading to the train tracks, the road (Station Approach) and pavements leading up to Willesden Junction tube station are also badly damaged and urgently need resurfacing (one could argue that they are currently posing a health & safety risk as people do have to step onto the road when it rains, as the puddles are so huge). In addition to that, the whole area around there could do with a bit of TLC – i.e. a school project painting the rather dull fence along the road etc.

Willesden Junction tube station is shared between Hammersmith & Fulham and Brent Council. In addition, there is the added complication that parts of the land supposedly belong to Network Rail. The problem is – nobody is taking the responsibility to do anything about the mess. This has been going on ever since I have lived in the area (3 years) and I believe many years before that. As a resident of London, I now urge you to please do something about this. I feel that the way this is currently being handled is a disgrace and shows how little respect the council and Network Rail have for the residents who live here.

Harlesden is in dire need of some investment and the station is the entry point into the town. How does anyone expect Harlesden to attract any kind of investment, if things look the way they are?

I would be grateful if you could urge your colleagues at Brent and Hammersmith & Fulham Council to take this matter seriously and to work with Network Rail to solve this problem once and for all. The residents of Harlesden should not suffer for the inaction and disinterest that this issue has raised.

I would be happy to meet with you at Willesden Junction tube station, should you wish to meet some of the residents. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards

Written by admin · Filed Under Local Campains