Contentious plans for a Crossrail 2 station in Chelsea were shown off by Transport for London (TfL) at a drop-in session on Tuesday (November 3).
Thousands of people have opposed the station, thought to cost £1.2 billion, in King’s Road, but at the drop-in session, which ran from midday to 8pm, TfL put forward its case.
It was held at Chelsea Old Town Hall and included a public council meeting which began at 6.30pm, where those opposed and in favour of the scheme spoke. Some members of the public were turned away from this meeting after the hall reached capacity.
It marked the beginning of a public consultation which will run until January 8, where members of the public are being invited to share their views.
“We are very much in listening mode."
TfL said footfall was high throughout the day with a steady stream of people viewing its plans and speaking to its representatives.
Last week TfL announced it was moving the proposed site from the fire station towards Sloane Square , where it would sit at the junction of King’s Road and Sydney Street.
A spokesperson told Getwestondon at the drop-in session that the change had come about from public feedback, and that TfL was “trying to make sure we don’t damage the feel of King’s Road.”
The spokesperson continued: “We are very much in listening mode. We want to hear what people’s views are and what they have to say about the proposal.”
Several visitors to the session gave their reactions to TfL plans, which have the backing of Kensington and Chelsea Council . Guy Boersma, who lives in Chelsea , said: “I don’t see the real benefit of having a station in Chelsea. I think giving people faster access to public transport links means they will walk less and lose the benefits of exercise.
“I see the real interests in having a station in Chelsea are the ambitions of the council to attract more people to King’s Road bringing more money to the council.”
Elizabeth Linton lives on Sydney Road and said she would never need to use the station as it would not be linked to the Tube network. She added: “We are well serviced by South Kensington and Sloane Square .”
However, Andrew Harting, from Chelsea was in favour of the station. He said: “I think London has got a major environment problem and a way to fix it is with improved public transport and that means a station.
“If people had objected to the building of the Underground in the Victorian times we would not have a Tube network.”
Michèle Dix, TfL’s Managing Director for Crossrail 2, said: “A Crossrail 2 station in Chelsea will not only improve access to jobs and other opportunities across London, but also support local business and economic growth by enabling more people to get to King’s Road. It will bring Chelsea residents within a 10 minute walk of an Underground or rail station.
“Having listened to the concerns about the exact location of the station, it will now avoid Chelsea Fire Station and Dovehouse Green . Sited on Sydney Street near the corner with the King’s Road, the proposed new station will be integrated into existing buildings and so preserve the character of the King’s Road.”
The proposal will see two 250-metre long platforms around 20 metres below ground level and a single station entrance and ticket hall, with access from Sydney Street and also potentially from Dovehouse Green.
It would take between five and eight years to build and include office and retail space.
Approximately 500 people attended the public meeting, which saw No Crossrail in Chelsea chairman Chris Lenon take on Ms Dix and K&C cabinet member Cllr Tim Coleridge.
A No Crossrail in Chelsea spokesperson said: “Residents came in their hundreds to have their voices heard and the message was received loud and clear – they do not want and do not need a £1 billion vanity project on the King’s Road."
A K&C spokesperson apologised to those they were denied entry to the meeting. He said: “This was a lively and packed meeting, where residents at last received a more accurate picture for plans for Crossrail 2.
“Of those who didn’t get in its not too late to take part, there is another TfL drop-in next week, Tuesday 10 November and the consultation is open until 8 January.”
