The No Crossrail in Chelsea campaign group chairman has warned that the proposed King’s Road station will damage the character of the area and its businesses.
Chris Lenon, the leader of the group opposing TfL’s project, denies that the proposed route will help Chelsea and claims s it will turn King’s Road into a ‘bland replica’ of Oxford Street.
Crossrail 2 is currently in a consultation period until January 8 and the station in Chelsea is estimated to cost around £1.2bn.
Mr Lenon said: “We fear that the station is going to lead to the redevelopment of the whole shopping area.
“Lots of the small businesses in the King’s Road are our strong supporters because they fear that people will be pushed out by high business rates and higher rents.”
The campaign has so far gathered 7,000 signatures for a petition opposing the station, a further 3,000 consultation forms in opposition, and the backing of all the residents associations along the King’s Road.
Michèle Dix, TfL’s Managing Director for Crossrail 2, said: “A Crossrail 2 station in Chelsea will not only improve access to jobs and other opportunities across London, but also support local business and economic growth by enabling more people to get to King’s Road.
“It will bring Chelsea residents within a 10 minute walk of an Underground or rail station.”
No definitive decision for Crossrail 2’s route has been made and TfL has already altered plans over the past year involving the location of the station.
The current proposed route would connect the north east of London with the south west.
