from the Hammersmith and Fulham Chronicle

There was never any doubt that the decision to close Shepherds Bush Station was a disaster for residents and businesses alike. Even London Underground admitted it was unprecedented to close a major tube station for eight months. The arguments raged over the four weeks’ notice given, the failure to provide alternative transport and the decision to replace the escalators – the reason given for closure – four years before it was necessary.

But what LU and our Tory council were adamant about was that a closure would be necessary at some point. That was why the Council leader picketed our public meeting - handing out statements from their parliamentary candidate - to say why the station must close. That is why LU and the council spent thousands of your money on propaganda to say it must close. And why the transport police threatened to arrest me for giving out leaflets questioning the decision.

So when the station closed in February I put in a Freedom of Information request to see what was really going on. By law they have 28 days to give me the information, but they made excuses until last week – and I can see why. The engineers who LU had commissioned to replace the escalators said last year they could do it without closing the station. Westfield said they could rebuild the station above ground without closure – they provided plans to prove this.

But then something happened. LU found putting in a lift and stairs as they had promised would cost more than they thought. Westfield were jumpy that the shopping centre would open with the station not ready. So a cosy deal was done to close. LU were happy – they saved money. Westfield were happy – they will get the station ready for their opening. The Tories were happy – they want to see Shepherds Bush gentrified and if small family shops go to the wall, all well and good.

Of course the 20,000 people who used the station every day are not so happy – but what do they matter, they are only the people who pay the council tax and tube fares.

If you want to see the documents I have obtained they are all on my website www.andyslaughter.com. I hope it will make uncomfortable reading for some.