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Reopen Primrose Hill station as part of new Overground
• THE surprise destruction of Primrose Hill station leaves a number of questions to be answered (MP wades into rail station row, March 19).
Having spoken to many local residents about it, I know they feel this happened without any consultation and against their wishes. We have lost a beautiful example of early Victorian architecture and Network Rail can’t get their story straight in explaining why. They claim they knocked it down for safety reasons, and also because of local demand (considering they did not ask locals in advance, how did they arrive at this conclusion?) but refuse to release any documents relating to its demolition.
And the Liberal Democrats in charge of the Town Hall were campaigning to reopen it at the same time as it was bulldozed on their watch – so they have no idea what’s going on either.
I am pleased to see Frank Dobson trying to get some answers, and hope we can soon learn the real story behind this sad and unnecessary situation.
ANNA HELGA - HORROX
Hawley Road, NW1
• EVERYONE concerned about the shocking demolition of Primrose Hill station will be immensely pleased that our MP is taking up the issue.
He rightly questions (MP wades into rail station row, March 19) the differing reasons Network Rail has advanced for the station’s destruction.
There must be serious doubts about any of its arguments, and much indignation that Network Rail can unilaterally decide what is best for the local community.
But there are other issues that need serious debate, both local and national. Network Rail, through its inherited powers, is not accountable to the public, but how many other structures – in Camden, greater London, and elsewhere – which are of architectural and historical importance or with great potential traffic, can we allow Network Rail to destroy?
Network Rail is answerable to government. Mr Dobson and his friends, along with those from other parties, are working hard to call government and its agencies to account on issues like post office closures.
MPs’ should also pursue Network Rail and government over matters such as the unjustified destruction of our station.
London’s mayor, in answer to a question on reopening of the station, said Transport for London had “decided it would be too difficult to slot the additional passenger services between the existing frequent freight services.” I am only an amateur, but it’s obvious to me that the real bottleneck restricting traffic is at Camden Road station.
Like Primrose Hill, Camden Road station has two tracks running through it. The difference is that Camden Road also has passenger and freight trains bound for the Hampstead branch, as well as links to St Pancras, routes through the Channel Tunnel, and the East Coast main line.
So would TfL propose closure of Camden Road station? I think not!
After improving signalling and other works, TfL plan to double the frequency of passenger trains on the line. We are not proposing additional trains, just that all or some of these extra trains be routed through a reopened Primrose Hill station.
Last autumn, when the Hampstead branch was closed for work, both passenger and freight services were worked through the empty Primrose Hill station. If it was possible then, why would it be impossible to reopen the station for the additional planned trains once resignalling is completed?
Boris, we don’t expect you to have personal knowledge of each issue, but we have a right to expect that the advice you act upon is credible.
We call on the mayor and TfL to address as a matter of urgency the question of reopening the station as part of the expansion of the Overground, with the involvement of Camden Council and the local community.
JOHN LEFLEY, NW1
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