Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Department for Transport
When I appeared before the Committee's Inquiry
into Transport for the 2012 Olympics, I promised to write back
with further details on a number of the points which were raised.
STRATFORD RAILWAY
LANDS
As the Committee will be aware the Rail lands
at Stratford, adjacent to the site of the Olympic Park, are presently
under the freehold of the Secretary of State for Transport. Under
the terms of the agreement to construct the Channel Tunnel Rail
Link (CTRL) the freehold will transfer to London and Continental
Railways Ltd (LOR) no later than two years after the completion
of the Railway. LCR and a consortium of developers (the Stratford
City Development Partnership) intend to develop this land into
a mixed retail, residential and business development, outline
planning permission for which was granted by LB Newham in September
2004.
The Olympic plans require that parts of the
Olympic park are located on the Stratford City site, including
the Olympic Village. A heads of terms agreement was signed by
LCR and the London Development Agency (LDA) before the London
Candidature File was submitted to the IOC in November2004.
I am pleased to report that on 15 November 2005
an agreement was reached between the London Development Agency,
LCR and the Stratford City Development Partnership which integrates
and unifies the plans for the Olympic Park and the Stratford City
Development. Amongst other things this agreement resolves the
questions over the use of Compulsory Purchase Powers over the
land and protects the public interest in the completion of CTRL
and subsequent development of the railway lands.Under the terms
of the original agreement for the development of the Stratford
Lands 50% of the proceeds LCR receives from the development will
return to the Crown. This position is preserved by the new agreement
signed between LCR and the LDA.
THAMESLINK MIDLAND
ROAD STATION
The schemes needed to provide transport for
the 2012 0lympics were set out in table 14.1 of the London 2012
Olympic Candidature File, submitted to the IOC in November 2004.
In February 2005, the Government announced that in addition to
these the King's Cross Northern Ticket Hall and Western Concourse
would also be constructed in good time for the Olympics.
The works at King's Cross include the safeguarding
of space for a new Thameslink station at Midland Road, to replace
the existing one. The original plans would have led to this station
being completed as part of the wider Thameslink improvement project.
However, while this station is not essential
for the smooth operation of Olympic transport, which is why it
was not included in the Bid, it would bring clear benefits to
passengers interchanging at King's Cross and St Pancras, particularly
for those using the Olympic Javelin service.
The Department is therefore exploring with Network
Rail and others how the fit out of the station could be brought
forward and finished in line with the completion of the CTRL Project
and the transfer of Eurostar services to St Pancras. This does,
of course depend on there being a practical and affordable way
of delivering the station early and which w'ould not displace
the delivery of other high priority schemes elsewhere.
STRATFORD STATION
INTERCHANGE
The deemed planning permission for the CTRL
development at Stratford granted in 2001 to Union Railways North,
a subsidiary of LCR, requires a "mechanised link" such
as a travelator to be constructed between Stratford Regional and
International Stations. The distance between the two stations
is some 400 yards, or approximately a nine minute walk. In addition,
the outline planning consent for the Stratford City development,
granted in 2004, requires the developer to make physical provision
for the mechanised link, provided that LB Newham agree the procurement
date and design of the travelator by January 2006. I understand
that discussions on how this requirement might be fulfilled are
underway between LCR and London Borough of Newham, who as local
planning authority are responsible for the enforcement of these
conditions.
However, the proposal for a travelator does
not have any significant effect on the Olympic Transport Plan.
Olympic spectators will for the most part be arriving and leaving
from one or other of the Stratford Stations, and not interchanging
between them. Furthermore, subject to the approval of applications
which are currently before the Secretary of Stale, it is proposed
from 2010 that the DLR will provide direct access to the transport
network from both stations and to all venues. In particular, during
the Paralympic Games when spectators hold day tickets, the DLR
will facilitate efficient spectator transfer from the Olympic
Park to the River Zone cluster of competition venues. The DLR
will be compliant with DDA requirements and have full step free
access.
EAST LONDON
LOCAL TRANSPORT
LINKS
As the Committee is no doubt aware, local transport
within London is primarily a matter for Transport for London and
the Boroughs.
However, there is a coordinated approach to
commuter and local transport services and Olympic transport plans
are fully integrated with these plans.
TfL are actively engaged in coordinating transport
links throughout London and significant investment is being set
aside to improve arterial transport links. Alongside this are
programmes of work to enhance lIocal bus services. There are also
programmes to service more local needs, such as hopper services
to supermarkets, as well as to enhance walking and cycling routes.
There is a general recognition that routes across
the river in East London could be improved. Therefore, TfL's five
year investment strategy includes projects to improve the East
London Line and extend the Docklands Light Railway to Woolwich.
Karen Buck
18 November 2005
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