GLA member Lynne Featherstone and Highgate’s Lib Dem councillors have welcomed progress made at a meeting on the controversial embankment works at Highgate Tube station on the Archway Road. The works, which are necessary to address potential subsidence of the road down the steep embankment, have caused misery to local residents, with in particular the removal of several mature trees and undergrowth on the site causing increased noise and pollution on surrounding roads.

The meeting, organised by Lynne Featherstone, brought together residents groups with officials from London Underground, Tube Lines, and Transport for London, who were frank in admitting a lack of co-ordination between the responsible bodies in the past. The meeting agreed that a secure fence, which will reduce noise, was an urgent priority for the site, and works should minimise the visual impact of the crash barrier that will accompany the scheme on the pavement side of the fence. The issue of replanting the site was also addressed. Further consultation meetings will be held to look at the details for the planting scheme for the embankment.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“An exercise in knocking heads together was sorely needed on this project – and we have made some progress. However there needs to be co-ordination over the fencing and planting issues, and also over other matters such as the location of the bus stop when the works are finished.”

Cllr Bob Hare (Highgate ward) adds:

“It was a useful meeting and there will be real benefit from the wider pavement on what has been a narrow walkway. We will continue to press for fencing proposals along the Priory Gardens side of the site, as the noise there is causing a misery for residents. We are also asking for the crash barrier to be made as unobtrusive as possible, and for the issue of planting along the fence, as well as on the embankment, to be fully explored.”

Download minutes of the Highgate station meeting here (rtf format).