Transport for London is now consulting on the Extension of the Northern Line from Kennington to Nine Elms and Battersea.
Representations and comments, either for or against the NLE, can be made in writing to the Secretary of State for Transport until Tuesday 18 June 2013.
c/o Transport and Works Act Orders Unit
General Counsel’s Office
Department for Transport
Zone 1/18
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 4DR
Email: transportandworksact@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Drop in events are being organised so that we can speak to TFL and view the application. The nearest events to us are:
Thursday 16 May 15:00-19:30 Durning Library
Monday 20 May 15:00-19:30 Wheatsheaf Hall
Thursday 30 May 15:00-19:30 Montgomery Hall
Wednesday 5 June 15:30-19:30 Phoenix House 10 Wandsworth Road.
The application documents can also be viewed at local libraries and Council offices.
What happens next?
Depending on the nature and number of comments received, the Secretary of State will decide if a public inquiry is required. If an inquiry is necessary the appointed inspector will hear both sides of the case and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State to either grant (with or without changes) or reject the application.
It is anticipated the whole process will take about 18 months from the date of the application to the Secretary of State’s decision and it needs to be completed before the project can move forward into the construction phase.
Timeline
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Statutory consultation period closes (18 June 2013)
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Public inquiry (autumn 2013)
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Decision on TWAO application (autumn 2014)
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Proposed start of construction (spring 2015)
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Subject to funding and permission to build and operate the extension, the new stations at Nine Elms and Battersea could be open by 2020.
A local group has been set up – Kennington & Walworth Neighbourhood Action Group – to consult with Transport for London on the Northern Line Extension and make sure that the views of local residents are heard. They have a website on http://kpnag.wordpress.com/ where those interested can find information on the potential effects of the work on the area around the Park.
However, in addition to the proposed vent in the Park, highlighted by KWNAC, a further vent is also being planned for Kennington Green, close to Sherwin House. Lambeth Council’s Senior Transport Planner came to our February meeting where KPE residents expressed concerns at the effect of building work on traffic in local streets, noise, dust, vibrations and general disruption, as well as the longer term effects of tunnelling and then additional trains running underneath us. At the very least, we told the Council’s Planner, we want a condition survey undertaken on potentially affected properties on the Estate before any work started.