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Somers Town streets are too narrow for tram link
• TRANSPORT for London, would you believe, have not given up and are still seeing the Somers Town tram link as a real possibility!
This, despite the discussions I had with their engineers and the site tour I gave them two years ago, with residents, to show them clearly how the tram link devised with Ken Livingstone to go through the narrow streets would go past schools.
And a play group, and pedestrianised areas put in for the safety of residents and children.
This, despite the 100 per cent opposition to the link shown by the residents at the demonstration last year at Somers Town Community Centre when models showed “option two” – to put the tram through Polygon Road past Age Concern, down Chalton Street, along Phoenix Road, over the pedestrianised Brill Place and back via Phoenix Road with a narrow part leading to Eversholt Street past two schools and a church.
I met them again three weeks ago with tenant and resident association representatives and they could only refer to some MORI poll where a few said they thought the Somers Town tram link was good.
They now intend, despite the meetings held last year, to have another meeting in 2008 to get the residents to consider “option two” the Somers Town link.
There is, I reminded them, intense opposition to the link- what about “option one”?
This to go down Crowndale Road straight to the Eurostar station?
No, they would be looking at the Somers Town link again.
TfL frankly just ignore any local opinion. If 100 per cent opposition was indicated clear last year surely that is enough… but, no, TfL have to win despite what we want.
That the Greater London Assembly reject it; that the environment sub-group of Camden Council rejected it; that the people rejected it; that GLA members reject it and I have been told time and time again that the Somers Town link won’t go ahead, TfL could not care less.
That it would go past Age Concern in Polygon Road and stop elderly people being taken there for lunch and rest; that it would destroy the pedestrianised area put up for the school children outside St Aloysius school; and go past the front gates of Monica Shaw court to the detriment of elderly people coming out from the estate; that it will destroy pavements; and the pedestrianised area at the Brill; and possibly buildings; stop any activities for parishioners at the Roman Catholic Church; that it would end residential and disabled parking; and maybe lose shops in Phoenix Road; and certainly end any activities for the annual Somers Town Festival of Culture at the junction of Phoenix Road and Chalton Street.
This may be a fight to go on for another 10 years, and I will do my best while a local councillor to stop the wretched idea of a tram link in Somers Town.
But I think Somers Town residents, should be on their guard to make sure it doesn’t come about.
I am in favour of tram systems but not through narrow streets like Somers Town and not if it harms our community.
CLLR ROGER ROBINSON
Labour, St Pancras and Somers Town Ward
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