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Why bother with plans for another big development?
• ONCE again big bureaucracy seems to be ignoring Islington’s residents, and Archway’s in particular.
On the one hand London Mayor Boris Johnson has decided that Archway station can do without step-free access. This means Islington Council no longer has the opportunity it was seeking, to work with Transport for London (TfL) on improving the famously ugly exterior of the building, and connections to bus and overland rail routes in Archway.
Instead, the station is going to be closed for 14 weekends, during which TfL will do little more than install a new public address system and some signage.
Meanwhile, the council is in the process of appointing yet more consultants for Archway. Like the quarter of a million spent just three years ago that came to nothing in the face of local opposition, this is all too likely to recommend another big development scheme – not just unpopular but unachievable in the current economic climate.
This would be the fourth big-scheme plan for the area, each one condemning it to more blight as landowners large and small refuse to make improvements, waiting for the fabled solution to come along.
We shouldn’t be negative – perhaps the council has a genuine regeneration vision this time around. The master plan might break the mould and recommend changes which could be achieved now – greening, conservation area support and improvements to the pedestrian layout (a crossing from the Tube to Archway island and from the Tube to the leisure centre, with wider pavements).
But if that is the case, why are residents the last to know? Maybe this is like the old adage about democracy in dictatorships – if the people give you the wrong answer then just keep asking them until they get it right. But it’s our taxes that are paying for this.
AMY SILVERSTON
Laurier Road, NW5
• WALTER Roberts’ enthusiasm and passion in his campaign to change Archway Tube station’s name to Whittington is persuasive (Station name change would honour a legendary mayor, September 4).
But changing the station name to Whittington would only cause confusion for businesses and visitors. And the costs involved in changing the name across the network could be spent more profitably on improving the station.
Archway is the name of a recognisable geographical place, with a long and distinguished social history, and the Tube station takes its name from the area.
Over the years there has been talk about “rebranding” Archway to different variations of Highgate, but this too misses the point. Many of us, whether we live or work here, feel a strong identity with Archway, which is continuing to improve with new cafés and restaurants opening and a big reduction in street drinking.
When Iceland’s head office referred, in its marketing material, to its new store in Junction Road as being in “Highgate” there was understandable mirth from the locals, and it was quickly changed. Our business is proud to trade in the place known as Archway, and I hope we will for many years to come.
HAK HUSEYIN
Chair, Archway Town Centre Management Group
Co-owner, Absolute Print
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