Working together to make West Ealing a better place for residents, businesses and visitors.
In this edition:
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It looks like the new station for West Ealing is getting close to completion. It should be open for business in the next few weeks. You can read what the recent Crossrail newsletter says here
It seems likely that once the new station is open more people will use the Jacob’s Ladder footbridge to access the station. That raises the question of what is being done to improve the safety and security of this tired old crossing? It’s just about inaccessible for anyone with mobility problems or parents with pushchairs which is contrary to Crossrail’s ethos of accessibility for all its station.
WEN has raised the poor state of this footbridge for years but next to nothing has happened to improve its physical state and its poor reputation for anti-social behaviour. The TfL funded Live West Ealing project had set aside some money to improve the access to the crossing at both ends. The project was put on hold due to pandemic and its impact on TfL’s funding. However, the project is about to re-start so we will ask about plans for Jacob’s Ladder and report back here.
Crossrail is likely to help transform West Ealing for decades to come. One key decision yet to be taken is where on Manor Road to site the new station. If this matters to you then you can hear the arguments and have your say at the West Ealing Centre Neighbourhood Forum meeting at the Drayton Court Hotel on 17th June at 7.30pm. WECNF wants to hear from as many people as possible to help decide on its recommendations to Crossrail for siting the new station.
Three main possibilities have been discussed as to where on Manor Road the station could go:
1. Near to the junction of Manor Road and Drayton Green Road.
Pros:
• Most important and visible location
• Least impact on Manor Road and the Draytons
Cons:
• Difficulty in providing drop-off/pick-up area
• May cause increased traffic congestion
• Loss of existing businesses on site
• Difficulty in providing step free access
2. 150 metres along Manor Road with pedestrian bridge to Waitrose car park
Pros:
• Facilitates drop-off/pick-up area in Manor Road
• Access to Broadway via Green Man Lane Passage
• Height difference between platform and station
• Retail/residential opportunities in Manor Road
Cons:
• Increased impact on Manor Road and the Draytons
• Disadvantages shops in The Avenue
• Requires changes to Waitrose car park
3. At western end of Manor Road with access to Jacob’s Ladder footbridge
Pros:
• Minimal impact on existing businesses
• Facilitates drop-off/pick-up area in Manor Road
• Supports major refurbishment of Jacob’s Ladder
• Good pedestrian access to Broadway shops
• Retail/residential opportunities in Manor Road
Cons:
• Poor access to existing bus routes
• Least prominent and visible location
• Increased impact on Manor Road and the Draytons
• Disadvantages shops in The Avenue
You can contact WECNF via their website www,wecnf.org
The full report of last week’s public meeting about Crossrail, attended by some 200 people, is on the West Ealing Centre Neighbourhood Forum site. Here’s a brief summary of the key points:
Seems almost everything is still to play for and WECNF will organise another meeting when there is definite information available.
Last May West Ealing Neighbours started a book swap in West Ealing station, and we have given away several thousand books since then. The success of this book swap has inspired Chris Gilson of West Ealing neighbours to start a campaign to get a London-wide book sharing scheme in operation by the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.
We’re also hoping to tie our West Ealing book swap with the Guardian newspaper’s campaign and the Bookcrossing movement.
If you’re keen to get involved, then check out the new blog: http://londonbookswap.wordpress.com/
Are you bored of the Metro? Or, do you rush out the door and forget to take a book with you on your morning commute? Well, WEN has something that might help you, at least at West Ealing Station.
Several weeks ago, we installed a Book Swap in West Ealing Station – and it’s had a great response since. We’ve been inspired by other successful schemes, such as the one in Wimbledon. The idea is to offer commuters the opportunity to read a good book travelling to and from work.
Where is it, and how does it work?
It’s just inside the ticket office at West Ealing Station, on your right, as you enter from the street.
It’s very, very simple. Just have a look at our shelf, if you see a book you like, grab it!
Do I have to return my book?
If you like, yes, but you don’t have to. There are over 60 books on the shelves and we hope some books get returned for other travellers to read but we’ll also keep an eye out and stock up as and when needed.
If you do have any spare books that you think others might want to read, leave those instead.
Any comments and ideas on the WEN Forum about how we could develop Book Swap in West Ealing are very welcome.