Does the Bridge Project make you see red?

(pictures copyright of Ealing Times)

 Not sure what the fuss is all about? Let us explain what the fuss is and you will hopefully understand.....

The Bridge project is set to be in 2 phases.

• Phase 1 comprises of the 2 existing paths under the bridge disappearing and being converted into a wider road (which will be mainly occupied into a Bus Lane!).
• Phase 1 comprises of a subway on both sides with with Security Cameras acting as surveillance to ensure safety at both ends.
• Phase 1 comprises of the Councils forking out (initially forecasted at £3.3 million) approximately £4.3 million pounds (and the cost is still rising!).
• Phase 1 comprises of a Single lane traffic from both sides of the bridge for up to 18 months (plus the 2 months suspension).

You may think...well...ok, so what's the fuss all about? Well...let us explain the problem further.

• Since the bridge project started, the grass verge that separates Petts Hill (main road) and the slip road that enters into Danemead Grove has been dug out courtesy of Metroline and a few other vehicles and has been replaced with some Graveyard soil.
• Since the bridge project started, the cost of phase one has almost doubled (current figures currently being verified)
• Since the bridge project started, concerns have surfaced about the safety of the project.
• Since the bridge project started, more and more people have become scared of being part of the community.
• Since the bridge project started, local business have been losing money in lost trade.

Let me expand on the last point about the safety.

1. The elderly are afraid to use it because....well...when you think about it...they are scared of using the subway...and who can blame them?
2. Women are afraid to use it because they are afraid they will get attacked by men.
3. Drug users will start to use it....especially since the Oast House (aka The Swan Pub) was closed down, the Drug users have very few places to go.
4. Other Anti-Social types of behaviour will occur.
5. The subways will be used by Paedophiles to lure kids.
6. More murders will take place in our area.
7. The Security cameras that would be monitoring the subways have been proven ineffective as per the report by Oliver Stallwood (printed in the Metro on Page 29 of the edition printed on the 25th February 2005).
8. If the subways are closed due to flooding, what alternative modes of getting from one side of the bridge to the other will be made available for the disabled without incurring costs to the residents?

The list goes on and on...and quite frankly, if you don't see the point, then the rest of the points won't matter!

Have a look at the following link (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be obtained from here) on the size of the subway.

Click here to see details of the Survey conducted by the residents association regarding the project, and compare the details against the survey conducted by London Borough of Harrow

The local residents don't want a subway, but we want a wider and stronger bridge. We the residents do not have an issue with the road being widened to encompass 4 lanes, but we do object having to put our safety at risk.

** Update 25/3/05 **

As of March 2005, The Lead Council of the project, London Borough of Harrow, have halted the project to enter discussions with Network Rail into why they refuse to fund the project, especially after they announced a staggering £249 million pounds. Bearing in mind that Phase 1 of the project is costing the councils approximately £9 million pound, and going straight to Phase 2 of the project would have cost £7 million pound, one has to ask the question on why Network Rail is being persistent in not helping the residents by widening the bridge. Widening the bridge would save us money, and would make our community a safer place to live.

** Update 18/5/05 **

Did you receive a glossy piece of paper telling you about the Bridge Project being resumed? Have a look at the following link to read more about the project (Apology for the black and white). The Councils are now calling the subways .... yes... passageways! Well.. I wonder how much money has been wasted by the renaming of subways?

Updated 7/4/06 **

Hanif Islam (from the recent Rail Liaison meeting) reported that Network Rail, Ealing & Harrow have made capital provision for this work. (The totals for both financial years are the same for Harrow & Ealing although the amounts differ within 06/07 & 07/08.) TfL keep deferring their decision but should get Committee approval later this month.

Chiltern Rail have received early warning of the bridge replacement taking place over the Easter weekend in 2008 to minimise disruption to services.

Graham Cross, from Chiltern Railway spoke about security concerns at Northolt Park and the two Sudbury stations where they are installing cctv, etc. I warned him of your concerns for the footpath alongside the Oast House and that it would be good if they (Chiltern) liaised with BTP, Met Police and Ealing Council.

Updated 10/4/06**

Email Response from Miles Bigland to Ian Jones of the Petts Hill Residents Association regarding the damage to the fence next to the Bridge leading to the Embankment.

"Thank you for your email of the 9 April regarding the damage to the fence near to Petts Hill Bridge, Northolt.

I have passed you comments to the Community Relations team who will task our Maintenance team to action this repair as soon as possible. As you know we take very seriously any damage to our infrastructure, especially where it may provide unauthorised access to the lineside area.

For future reference, Network Rail's 24-hour 'lo-call' helpline on 08457 11 41 41, will be able to register your concerns are pass out any needed work much quicker than myself - particularly if I am on leave or away from the office.

I have attached a map of the parts of the area (highlighted in green and red) that come under our ownership, for your future reference."
 

**** Please Note ****

The Residents Association is apolitical / non-political and shall always remain so. Some of the opinions raised are those of the website administrator, unless stated otherwise.