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28.10.04
GLA member Lynne Featherstone and Highgate's Lib Dem councillors have
received assurances from Tubelines that they will work on measures to limit
the impact of a major new London Underground Control Centre to be built in
Highgate on the edge of the woods.
The assurances came at a meeting attended
by councillors Featherstone, Neil Williams and Bob Hare, along
with Terry Morgan, the Chief Executive of Tubelines.
The local councillors raised concerns about the planned windows in the new
control centre building, which will control trains on the Northern Line.
They were also told that Tubelines is looking at moving the building further
away from houses on nearby Lanchester Road in order to address overlooking
problems highlighted by concerned residents in the street.
Tubelines has
also agreed to work with the Highgate Society and local councillors on
planting schemes at the highly sensitive site, and consider ways of limiting
light pollution. Lib Dems say that properly sensitive measures will help
protect habitats for local bat populations and the willow warblers which
inhabit the woodland edge.
Building works are due to start on the site next year. When completed, the
control room for the new signalling system on the line will allow for more
trains and is targeted to deliver a 20% reduction in journey times on the
Northern Line and increase in train capacity by 13%.
Lynne Featherstone comments:
"This was a useful meeting. There is no doubt that the control site is an
important project that should deliver enormous improvements to the service
on the Northern Line. Passengers will enjoy a considerable reduction in
journey times into central London.
"However this site on the edge of Highgate Woods is an important one, and
the new building will be in close proximity to residents homes in Lanchester
Road. I am pleased that Tubelines is willing to look at the location of the
building and to take other measures to protect the environment. We will
continue to work closely on the issue with them."
Comments?
If you have any comments on this story, please let me know in the space below, or you can email me at lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org
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