Proposal to close Old Oak Common Lane for four years by HS2/ OPDC
Request ID: FOI-4796-2324 Date published: 10 April 2024
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
Obviously this brutal proposal to achieve double decker buses movement north-south would be a local area disaster for residents given rail lines and would take Severance Brent (at risk of bankruptcy) to a whole new tipping pressure point.
Has TfL as yet considered in its policies and planning the option of emergency funding an urgent investment upgrade widening of the already existing walk and push active traffic 'high line' over these rail track and canal severances between Willesden Junction and the new HS2 station. This already there active traffic route would be easy to extend north direct to Harlesden Town.
Does the new HS2 station allow a local public access bridging of its rail tracks to offer the option of this vast new population growth zone ( Europe's biggest regeneration project) being plan enabled to direct access 80 hectare Wormwood Scrubs Park across yet more rail tracks. Active traffic bridges are cheaper, faster build and the distance from Harlesden Major Town to Wormwood Scrubs Park is 200 metres with the HS2 station if of a public access inclusion design bridges half of that rail line severance already in effect for free (its only a matter of making the public good connectivity choice with this public land and public investment to make it happen).
Power with responsibility- maybe a major active traffic pre-loading infrastructure investment is become the pain free HS2/ OPDC/TfL way forward for car-free towers north and south (building on 3 industrial estates) new Harlesden Major Town Centres extreme population growth towards 2050.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-4796-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 27th March 2024 asking for information about the proposal to close Old Oak Common Lane for four years. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Please note, only requests for specific, recorded information fall under the scope of the Freedom of Information Act. More general correspondence should be addressed to our Customer Services team (see here: https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/). That said, I have been in liaison with relevant colleagues and can respond to your points as set out below.
TfL has only recently been made aware of HS2’s proposals to close Old Oak Common Lane for a period of up to four years. As such, we are currently working with HS2 to better understand the implications of this proposed closure on our services, notably buses, and to identify potential mitigation measures to help minimise the impact to our passengers during this time. It should be noted that TfL is not the highway authority for Old Oak Common Lane, and as such does not have responsibility for the management of the highway network in this location. TfL will need to consider alternative options for buses whilst the road is closed. However, agreeing alternative arrangements for pedestrians and cyclists would sit with the local highway authority (the London Borough of Ealing) and planning authorities (OPDC).
We are engaging with HS2 and the OPDC to support the delivery of both the HS2 station and the longer term regeneration aspirations for the area. This is with the aim of ensuring that any new development that does go forward can be delivered in the most sustainable way, and contribute towards the Mayor’s target of 80% of all journey’s to be undertaken by walking, cycling and public transport by 2041.
At this time TfL are not actively pursuing any new active travel links over any rail infrastructure in the area. The OPDC does, however, have an adopted Local Plan in place which sets out proposals for new and improved pedestrian and cycle connections, alongside enhancements to some existing routes. Once delivered, these would help improve access to and from the HS2 station by active modes. See here: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/opdc_local_plan_2022_june_2022_including_appendix_0.pdf (Fig 3.10)
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,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
