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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

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