NORTH LONDON STRATEGIC ALLIANCE RESPONSE TO NORTH ...

The sub-region, via the NLSA and its subcommittee the North London Transport Forumhas developed a good understanding of its transport needs. North London has twocritical central transport problems which we would like to see reflected in the SRDFwhether or not funding has been agreed to address them;• Poor orbital routes, with inadequate public transport, east to west• Inadequate rail links, north to south, along the Upper Lee Valley, with poorlyconnected stations and weak connections to Stratford.North Circular and Orbital public transportNorth London lies between 3 growth areas and is projected to experience significantinternal population growth. Congestion on the A406 will be an ever-increasing problemunless significant resources are invested. The North Circular is a vital artery for NorthLondon linking its network of town centres and areas of opportunity and growth, such asBrent Cross / Cricklewood and the Upper Lee Valley. The limited improvementsreferred to in paragraph 146 have been delayed. They will also have little impact onthe increasing demands further west as up to 10,000 homes are built in Brent Cross /Cricklewood. There is no simple answer to North London’s orbital transport challenges,but we hope that discussions around the Network Plans can bring forward sometangible projects.West Anglia RouteThe West Anglia line lies along the Upper Lee Valley and provides a key route betweenStansted and the City. In addition it will play an increasingly important role insupporting the London – Cambridge – Stansted Growth Corridor. The Government hasasked BAA to bring forward proposals for a second runway at Stansted Airport,increasing passenger throughput from 18m.ppa (2003) to up to 80m.ppa. In additionthe draft East of England Plan envisages 40,000 new jobs and 63,250 new dwellingswithin the Corridor. Strengthening links to the employment opportunities of east Londonwill also become increasingly important as major developments such as Stratford Citycome on stream around 2009-2010.However the line is currently only twin track – one line north, one line south. Pressurefor more fast passenger trains along the route will have a significant impact on theservices to smaller stations that lie along the Upper Lea Valley, reducing the frequencyof their service and threatening to further isolate already deprived communities. It is alsoessential that any upgrade is in parallel with improved bus interchange with thesesmaller stations.The importance of securing the West Anglia Route Modernisation Enhancements beforeOlympics 2012 should be referred to in the SRDF. Specifically commitment is neededfor additional capacity on the Lee Valley Line, including the Stratford – Tottenham Halelink and other improvements to enhance access to the Olympic Zone from Stansted10