Examination of Witnesses (Questions 20556
- 20559)
Ordered: Counsel and Parties be called in:
20556. Sir Peter Soulsby: I understand,
Mr Elvin, that the Promoters have a short announcement to make
regarding Romford Station and it would be convenient to take that
first.
20557. Mr Elvin: First of all, I apologise
for keeping the Committee waiting for a few minutes. I am afraid
the Bayswater Road was impenetrable this morning. Sir, with regard
to Romford Station on 6 February this year, which is Day 70 of
the proceedings, the Committee heard from the London Borough of
Havering in support of their petition on Romford Station. We agreed
on that occasion to go away and re-examine the operational and
engineering feasibility of an alternative entrance to Romford
Station in light of the issues raised by Havering, focusing on
the possibility of a southern entrance through the existing structure,
the widening of the existing mezzanine passageway, and how the
design of the station foyer and treatment of the area beneath
the railway bridge could improve access to the station from the
south. We agreed to do this quickly, to liaise with Havering and
to report back to the Committee.
20558. I am happy to report, and you will see
the statement on the screen, that we have developed alternative
proposals for Romford Station which are acceptable to Havering.[1]
Under these proposals the internal layout of the station will
be altered so that the existing station entrance underneath the
railway bridge can remain open. This entrance will provide a direct
route from the bus station area into the railway station for all
passengers, including those with restricted mobility, and will
be approximately the same walking distance as would have been
provided by a walkway through the bridge abutment as proposed
by Havering. It will be provided with passenger-operated ticket
machines and will be in addition to the proposed new entrance
to the north of the station.
20559. I am therefore instructed to read into
the record the terms of an assurance agreed with Havering as follows:
"The Promoter will require the nominated undertaker to provide
entrances to Romford Station at the north end of the station foyer
and at the existing station entrance location. The entrance at
this existing location will be at least as wide as the existing
entrance. This is subject to the necessary approvals from Network
Rail (which the nominated undertaker shall use all reasonable
endeavours to obtain), and the necessary approvals under the Bill
from the London Borough of Havering being obtained at the time.
The Promoter will also require the nominated undertaker to work
with the London Borough of Havering as the relevant planning and
highway authority, on proposals for the comprehensive treatment
of the pedestrian environment immediately outside the station".
1 Crossrail Ref: P151, Crossrail Bill: Romford Station-Statement
to the Select Committee (SCN20070313-001). Back
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