Transport for London ‘eyeing up’ Hackney stations
London Fields. Photograph: Emmanuel Mair
London Fields Station could be taken over from Greater Anglia by Transport for London as early as next year.
The potential takeover could see TfL extending its reach through Enfield and up to Hertfordshire, where trains from London Fields terminate.
Stoke Newington, Rectory Road and Clapton stations could also be added to the TfL map, according to Up The Line, the newsletter of Cambridge Heath and London Fields Rail Users.
This is fantastic news and will bring significant improvements to both public realm and passenger safety
Both have been in rapid decline with the travel experience running up to Enfield and beyond quite horrifying especially after dark.
I think the news is more positive than this report suggests. The transfer of much of the West Anglian mainline to TFL was agreed last summer. TFL now appear to have confirmed it will get the Overground treatment.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/branching-out-london-overground-to-get-25-new-stations-9044059.html
Not only is the fact that TfL is taking over the Enfield to Liverpool Street Line “better than the story suggests”, it’s fantastic news; particularly for users of Stamford Hill Overground Station.
The station – like the line – is currently woefully operated by Greater Anglia. The ticket machine is our of order around 30% of the time; the platform and embankments are covered in litter (only cleaned after numerous tweets to customer services); the trains are routinely five minutes late, meaning you often have to wait twenty minutes+ for a service; and, I think it would be fair to say, no customer service awards will be forthcoming…
TfL press-released their intentions last year, so readers can find out more here… http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/28301.aspx.
I’ve also been chasing the issue up through our London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold, with specific reference to the possibility of step-free access at the station (which is currently highly inaccessible):
Stamford Hill Train Station, Question No: 2013/3607 (October 2013 Mayor’s Question Time), Jennette Arnold:
I have been asked by a constituent to put the following question to you:
On 2 July 2013, TfL announced that they will take control of overground rail routes that run from Liverpool Street station to Enfield Town and Cheshunt from 2015. Stamford Hill has one of the highest birth rates in London, while a recent Hackney Council survey revealed that over 50% of the over-55 age group in the new Woodberry Down ward self-identify as having a disability. As a result, there are a disproportionate number of residents with prams or physical impairments that experience great difficulty with stairs and therefore cannot access the station. With this in mind, what reassurances can you provide with that TfL will make Stamford Hill overground station ‘step free’?
Written response from Boris Johnson:
I am delighted that the Government has recently announced a further £103 million in Access for All funding for England and Wales. TfL will be able to nominate for step-free access stations on the Overground, the future Crossrail route, and the lines out of Liverpool Street that will be devolved. TfL is already working to identify which stations it may nominate, and will provide more information once it becomes available.
If Woodberry Down Ward (or Stamford Hill) residents would like me to ask any other questions, please get in touch at woodberrydownlabour@gmail.com.