Dear Sir/Madam Re: TfL’s plans to build flats in Tower Blocks Around Finchley Central Station, London N.3 I would like to request some information under The Freedom of Information (F.o.I). The reason for this request is as follows. Ballards Lane is a known ‘wind tunnel’ and walking south against wind towards the Station, can be hard work. The cross road junction at the Station, between Nether Street and Ballards Lane, and Chaville Way and Ballards Lane, is known to be dangerous at times. One often sees people holding the lamp post at the top of Nether street before crossing. And parents holding tight to small children. Some years ago my father, turning down Chaville Way, was lifted by the wind and hurled to the ground. A kind motorist brought him to my house shocked and in a really bad way…..luckily nothing broken but tooks weeks for the bruising to go. A few years ago another man was less lucky when the wind lifted him and threw him under a bus. I am told the Bus Driver never quite got over it. As a nurse I have real concerns that with high buildings these accidents will be more common. The Arts Depot (about 9 story’s) at the other end of Ballards Lane in North Finchley N12 has created a bad wind tunnel where there was none before. TfL are proposing a 20 foot and other towers on the Finchley station site. Under the F.o.I I would like to know what studies have been undertaken to look at the increased ‘wind-tunnel-effect’ of tall buildings at that cross road? I feel sure that some sort of ‘micro-climate’ studies must have been undertaken, before millions of pounds were spent on the building pans. Under the F.of I, I would like a list of all the studies done please, and a copy of them.

---

TfL Ref: 335-1920

Thank you again for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 27 January 2020. I apologise for the delay in replying.

You have asked for information about studies have been undertaken to look at the increased ‘wind-tunnel-effect’ of tall buildings around Finchley Central station.  

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we do not hold the information you require.  You asked:

Under the F.o.I  I would like to know what studies have been undertaken to look at the increased ‘wind-tunnel-effect’ of tall buildings at the cross road  junction at Finchley Central station between Nether Street and Ballards Lane. I would like a list of all the studies done please, and a copy of them.

We do not hold information on any studies undertaken which look at the wind tunnel effect of tall buildings at this junction - there are a number of development sites which TfL do not own in this area and TfL does not commission any studies on these. It is possible that some information may be held by the London borough of Barnet subject to any planning applications coming forward on those sites.  Please contact them for further information at https://www.barnet.gov.uk/your-council/open-data-and-information-requests/freedom-information.

We take the effect of our development on the local environment very seriously and will ensure our proposals are carefully designed to avoid unacceptable consequences on the microclimate of the area. This applies to our whole scheme, but we are also looking carefully at the effect on the Nether Street/Ballards Lane junction.

When we finalise the plans for the scheme, we will then be able to compile a full report on the wind and microclimate effects of the project, which will be submitted with the planning application and will be publicly accessible on the council’s planning portal.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

Back to top

---