The link in the Newsletter does not work but I found this:
though dated 3rd March which contains some relevant informatin.
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Replies
What are the problems with the Ally Pally station step-free design? This must be something I've missed.
Basil, here is what I wrote to Joanne McCartney. But first, a couple of additional points - (1) I understand this is not technically a planning application but (2) in that the footbridge is an essential local amenity which is not just about station access, I would have thought that the Council and perhaps Alexandra Palace have an essential role here (so not just funded by Network Rail?). I understand that the capacity of AP is almost as great as Wembley Arena (10.25k and 12.5k respectively), so they do need to deal appropriately with these crowds, as well as not remove an essential amenity for residents on the west side of the railway. I believe Alex King is going to upload an OS map showing the two footbridges that crossed the railway around 1960ish.
Here's the letter:
...
Many of us in Alexandra Park ward have only just got to hear about this planning app. (HGY/2023/0881), including the ward councillors (though we were aware that works were planned, and were very pleased to hear it). Cllr Alessandra Rossetti was informed by Network Rail early this year that 'all planning was postponed until next Autumn'. It is quite extraordinary that only Bounds Green councillors were informed of this application by the planning dept, although residents on the AP side of the bridge would be most affected - Alessandra is therefore going to ask for the consultation period to be extended (deadline was 24 July).
The problem is that the proposed changes to the footbridge involve its removal between platforms 3/4 and the Bedford Road exit, so all passengers would have to exit onto Buckingham road, and there would be no footbridge at all for those who are not catching a train. This is not mentioned in the cover letter from Network Rail. So the massive crowds going to events at the Palace would have to use the narrow footway over the roadbridge, whether they are catching a train or not, as well as everyone else who needs to cross the railway. This would be extremely unsafe, apart from anything else. I thought that changes to the station were going to be extensive and improve access to/from the station for visitors to the Palace and others - we desperately need this - and instead they are proposing this extremely cut-price alternative.
There's a discussion about it on the Alexandra Park Neighbours community website, with the relevant detail from the plans explained here:
https://alexandraparkneighbours.org.uk/forum/planning-application-f...
I see you mentioned the planned works on the GLA website in March - thanks for this - but presumably you were not aware of this detail? ...
Thanks Annabel,
I agree that that's not a satisfactory solution, it was bad enough forcing everyone to go through the ticket hall instead of being able to walk directly to the exit that they want. As you say, forcing crowds to walk along the long and narrow road route would be dangerous.
Contrast this cheapskate approach to what TfL have done when providing lifts at stations that are now on the Elizabeth Line east of Stratford, eg Forest Gate and Manor Park.
Thanks - might be useful to compare the settings.
Many thanks for this, Ed. Joanne McCartney is clearly not aware of the problems with the proposed works, so I have written to her about it.