SBush Station User Group

Click on the links for minutes of past meetings:

6th JULY,6th JUNE, 9th MAY, 4th APRIL, 7th MARCH, 13th FEB

Shepherd’s Bush User Group Meeting

1 August 2008 at the Village Hall, Shepherd’s Bush

Chair: Andy Slaughter MP

1. PROGRESS ON STATION

London Underground showed photographs of progress on the station and reported that work is on schedule for the start of trial operations in September and station opening in mid-October.

Escalators

· The escalators have been installed and testing would be starting shortly

Ticket hall

· Fit out of the offices is continuing

· Ceiling panels in the ticket hall are being fitted

Other works

· Staircase from the ticket hall to the basement is going in

· Tiling is continuing

Step-free access

The situation remains unchanged. LU is still investigating ways to make the scheme economically viable. AS asked if LU was sticking with its £100m cost estimate. LU said they were. The high cost is due to the unexpected complexity of the scheme.

LU confirmed that stairs were included in the original scheme as this is a standard requirement for any lift scheme.

LU hoped to have more to report at the next meeting.

2. ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS

It was noted that there will be some more overnight closures of Wood Lane towards the end of the road works and these would affect the operating times of the replacement bus service.

LU confirmed that the route 148 refund process was still working well. The two cases of incorrect payments referred to LU by AS have been resolved.

3. ROAD WORKS

LBHF stated that all Highway works should be ready by 15 October.

HAFAD were concerned that the crossing from W12 to Shepherd’s Bush Central line station, at 7 metres wide, would be too narrow to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, causing problems for disabled people. LBHF were confident that the crossing was wide enough and would work well.

HAFAD raised concerns about the lack of a dedicated cycle lane to access Westfield London. LBHF said that they had examined all options for access and that a shared space for cyclists and pedestrians was the best and safest. The access is wide enough for all parties to use safely. LBHF will be meeting HAFAD and TfL and this would be discussed further.

There was some discussion about potential parking problems once Westfield opens. LBHF confirmed that the council had funding from Westfield to review parking patterns and restrictions before and after opening. LBHF is also working with Westfield to ensure that parking charges at the centre don’t encourage people to use local streets.

HAFAD asked about coaches and was told by LBHF that it may be possible for them to use the lay by on the A3220 but that this was yet to be resolved.

HAFAD also asked about the step free access from Edward Woods Estate across the A3220. LBHF will look into this.

4. CONSULTATION ON NEW BUS ROUTES

There is some opposition to the new routes from residents on Stevenage Road. TfL is looking at alternative routes, possibly via Wormhole Rd or Bloemfontein Rd. AS is talking direct with London Buses.

AS raised concerns on behalf of traders about the change of terminating point for some buses after the Shepherd’s Bush Interchange opens, as they felt they will lose business. HAFAD asked if route 94 would change and TfL confirmed that it would not.

5. ASSISTANCE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES

The Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) has met with businesses on Uxbridge Road and in W12 and will have 1-2-1 meetings with many of them shortly.

Some businesses have reported a 20-50% drop in turnover recently. LBHF may allow businesses to apply for a rate reduction or a rate revaluation to assist. BEC is also looking at:

Access to finance
Help with developing an exit strategy if a business wants to close

HAFAD asked about money LBHF received from Westfield for improving shop frontages along Uxbridge Road, from Caxton Road toward the station. BEC reported a low take-up and is working to improve this. AS asked if the funding criteria could be loosened to increase uptake. BEC said that this is possible but only after the final review with the shops who currently qualify is complete.

AS asked if LDA money is available, BEC reported that it may be but could only be used if a need was identified following the 1-2-1 sessions.

6. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Next meeting will be held in the first half of September, date TBC.