Battles over Crossrail 2 are still being fought as TfL are thinking of moving a station from its proposed site in Tooting Broadway to Balham, and residents are being asked to pitch in their opinions.
Tooting Conservatives are asking residents to go online and pick Balham or Tooting as TfL considers alternate stations after discovering it would be difficult to carry out extensive building work at the proposed Tooting site.
The website, balhamortooting.org.uk, promoted on behalf of Dan Watkins and Tooting Conservatives, has attracted more than 1,000 responses, with comments almost unanimously favouring construction in Tooting.
“Tooting Broadway needs this more than Balham,” said Matthew Walsh on BalhamorTooting.
“The population is booming, more and more young people and families are moving into the area and out of Balham because of prices, but also because of the vibrant culture. Balham is becoming stale and drab while Tooting is on the up.”
The council argues that Crossrail 2 would bring new investment into Tooting’s town centre, boost regeneration in the area and help ease overcrowding on the Northern Line.
Sonia Weir said on BalhamorTooting: “Tooting Broadway needs it, with more and more flats being built in the area we need more travel options.
“Balham already has a train to Clapham Junction. Think long term and not short term!”
The line, originally intended to be constructed at Tooting Broadway may now be built at Balham due to geological conditions.
“We will of course be carefully scrutinising the new information provided by TfL and we will continue to push hard for Tooting to be a prominent part of this new tube link,” said Wandsworth’s transport spokesman, councillor Jonathan Cook.
“We would certainly have misgivings if that position were to change and an alternative route was suddenly brought into the equation.”
A decision has not yet been made regarding construction for Crossrail 2, but Mr Cook insists that TfL must give Balham residents information regarding construction and allow them to take part in the consultation process.
“There is still more investigative work to be done, including an independent review,” said Michele Dix, TfL’s managing director of Crossrail 2.
“A station at Balham could bring many of the same benefits as a station at Tooting Broadway, including relieving congestion on the southern part of the Northern line.
“We will therefore be consulting on options for a station at Balham and will be talking with the communities around both stations about our plans.”
Work on the line is expected to begin in 2020 and will take around 10 years to finish. TfL stresses that it is early in the decision making process and no final conclusion has yet been made.
The original route, as described by the council, is from Hackney to Wimbledon via Euston St Pancras, Tottenham Court Road, Victoria, Clapham Junction and Tooting Broadway.
Picture courtesy of Sheep R Us, with thanks
