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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Below are some notes from a recent meeting between residents and station staff.

Notes of the meeting between:

Errol Reid, (Liberal Democrat Councillor for Hornsey Ward,) Jason Beazley (HornseyN8/WERA) Seumas Skinner, (Stakeholder Executive, First Capital Connect) on 7th August 2013 at Hornsey Station.
 

Seumas Skinner started the meeting by updating us on what the plans First Capital Connect had for the £500,000 refurbishment of Hornsey Station. He also clarified the partnership ownership between First Capital Connect and Network Rail. Both organisations are the freeholders of different parts of the land and buildings, which limit what First Capital Connect can do. Seumas pointed out that Hornsey’s shorter platforms means that it will miss out on some of the services other local stations will get.

Seumas informed us that the works will be concentrated on the Tottenham Lane entrance, ticket hall and booking hall. The footbridges will be repaired and resurfaced, bright LED lighting will be fitted throughout the station and the roof of the ticket hall will also be replaced. This work began on Monday 22nd July and is expected to take around 12 weeks to complete. The ticket office will be closed between 12 and 26 August - but staff will be on hand during this time to sell tickets and assist with enquiries. As the station will remain open during this time, some of this work will be carried out over night. Seumas assured us that any noise will be kept at a minimum for local residents.

As we walked through Hornsey Station we discussed:

Flower planters and a community notice board being installed at Hornsey station once the work has been completed. Seumas agreed to supply these and we all agreed the placement of them. We also agreed that Jason will organise a team of residents to work with volunteers from First Capital Connect in initial planting and continuous up keep. Seumas suggested placing these in the spring and we suggested that October would be better for bulbs. Seumas would come back to us on this.

 Jason will supply information for the notice board and be key holder (the ticket office will also have a key.) Seumas said he would consider a community notice board on the Turnpike Lane side but he would need to wait to the works are done to see if there is any money left and get permissions from the council and Network Rail. He could not promise this happening.

We had a discussion on signage and its location, which points the way to Hornsey and Crouch End and Turnpike Lane. This was agreed.

Actions outstanding:

We discussed CCTV across the bridge and at both entrances. As some commuters have concerns particularly late at night in the winter: Hornsey can be a bit lonely. Seumas said he would come back to us on this. 

Tags for Forum Posts: first capital connect, hornsey station

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Sadly both Hornsey and Harringay (West) stations were reduced from much more substantial premises in the mid 70s when the electrification came.  Platforms were set to 6 coaches as that was limit that the trains could be in the tunnel section from Drayton Park.  British Railways did the minimum as management didn't see inner suburban trains having any real importance to the big picture.  In 1976 train were only every 20 minutes as the Welwyn services didn't stop.  The 10 minute off peak service is OK, but every 7-8 minutes would be better, like the North London Line Overground.

That attitude still pervades hence there are so many trains that do not stop at our stations.  Unfortunately LB Haringey has not put the pressure on over these services, or the future Thameslink Services.  A few will serve Alexandra Palace from the Welwyn line, run fast to Finsbury Park and the St Pancras.  I find it very frustrating that we in Haringey have not had any firm proposals for our local services, either daytime or peak.  The Moorgate line should open on Saturdays, but again Islington is no more effective at lobbying for improvements to their bit in the tunnel, as Haringey Officers seem unable to put a strategy, despite my putting detailed suggestions to the Transport Forum Group.  

Both Haringey and Islington seem very pre-occipied with CPZs - the no 1 cash cow - Cycling, important but not the Be-all an End-all of transport policy, and speed humps, and they even put them on Bus Routes. Not good for Ambulances either!

Bus integration and better rail services at all station are crucial for sustainability, and then I will leave the car at home and take the bus and train.

Lastly, reading the report above, why wasn't Malcolm Smith, Haringey's Transport Officer also there?

Worrying. The comment from Mr Skinner contradicts the DfT's suggestion that Harringay and Hornsey will be served by the Thameslink Welwyn trains, either with platform extensions or Selective Door Opening. Unless they are intending to continue to use Hertford trains to serve them this means service reductions at H&H, and it would rather undermine the point of the current segregation works if they did that. Troubling.

...and why is there not any work being done on the Hampden Road exit/entrance.  The station is heavily used by passengers from this side of the railway and the approach is dirty and badly lit road and killer stairs.

Is this the right time to ask when Haringey and Hornsey will be elderly, young-parent (ie with pram) and disabled 'friendly'?

Again not in current plans Geraldine.  There are due to be major works at Finsbury Park but Harringay, Hornsey and Alexandra Palace remain poor relations on this issue.  I have a breathing problem just now, and I have to stop halfway up the long steps on either side of Hornsey.  Harringay is at least ramped onto the overbridge, but the entrance into the station itself is very bad.

No money allocated for it.  Moan, pester our MPs, Councillors etc>

Thank you for your reply. Yes I will do as you suggest. Another David Lammy email again (or surgery visit instead I think) and I will not let him get away with a 'no reply' this time.

Best wishes to you in the meantime. G.

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