As plans for the new Crossrail station at Ealing Broadway progress the council are calling on the public to put forward their ideas at a public exhibition next week.
The latest designs for Ealing Broadway were approved at a planning meeting on August 13, despite the Save Ealing Centre group raising concerns about a lack of consultation.
The exhibitions on Tuesday September 2 and Thursday September 4, are designed to now give the public a chance to comment on ideas for areas around the station which will be modified as part of the council’s plan to improve Ealing’s town centre.
However for some they have come too late as the new station plans, designed by Bennetts Associates and to be delivered by Network Rail, have already been approved.
Chairman of Save Ealing Centre (SEC), Nick Woolven, spoke at the meeting outlining their opposition and recommending a deferral of the application until after the mentioned meeting in September.
He said: “Public consultation on the designs has not been conducted properly.
“The reason there were so few responses is that Ealing Council agreed with SEC that an exhibition would take place in September.
“Any current time pressure is Crossrail’s fault for wasting time with initial unacceptable designs.”
He added: “Please do not let Crossrail bully this application through now.”
Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “It’s very important that we use the arrival of Crossrail as an opportunity to improve the public space outside the station to make it attractive and easier for passengers to use.
“The proposals aim to enhance the character of central Ealing improving links for pedestrians and cyclists and access to Haven Green. We want to hear from residents before we develop these proposals further and I urge everyone, both residents and people who pass through the area, to visit the exhibition.”
Crossrail say during the design process they worked closely with Ealing Council, the local MPs, community groups, developers and nearby landowners.
Matthew White, Crossrail Surface Director, said: “Crossrail will provide a step change in public transport for people in Ealing – better stations, new trains and faster journeys.
“Now our plans for Ealing Broadway are moving forward, we will continue to liaise with local people as the detail of the designs for the station is developed.
“We will also be working hard to make sure the station improvements are made with absolute minimum disruption to people and businesses.”
The two sessions will be held between 4pm and 8pm on Tuesday, September 2 and Thursday, September 4 at the Ealing Broadway Station forecourt on Haven Green.
Picture boards will help people to understand the improvements which will be delivered once the Crossrail works inside the station are finished at the end of 2016.
People will have an opportunity to ask detailed questions about the proposals and will be invited to complete a questionnaire at each session. Feedback during the exhibition will be used to help inform the plans as they develop.
A Crossrail representative will also be available at the consultations to answer any questions on the improvement works taking place inside the station.
