Transport 'superhubs' key to revitalising outer London's economy (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)
Contact us: Got a photo? Text 'SLPICS' to 80360. Got a story? Call the newsdesk: 020 8744 4260
Transport 'superhubs' key to revitalising outer London's economy
2:14pm Wednesday 4th March 2009 in News By Paul Cahalan
One or more 'superhubs' could be created in south London to revitalise its flagging economy.
That was one big idea floated by William McKee, chairman of the Mayor of London’s new Outer London Commission (OLC) at our Listen to Business meeting at Twickenham Stadium on Tuesday.
At the first public meeting since the commission was established, Mr McKee explained that he had just four months to draw up the plan that will help shape the future of this area for the next 20 years.
The area's economy has persistently under-performed compared both to inner London boroughs and to neighbouring counties.
For south London to realise its potential he would need “the experience and intuition of businesses”, he said.
The ideas put forward by Mr McKee to Boris Johnson in June will feed into the London Plan - the document that shapes the capital's major policies for the next two decades.
Mr McKee told the 100 business and council leaders in the audience: “Stable economies create better communities . . . and we are looking at creating four or five superhubs which we can develop.
"Around that we will build links to other hinterlands. We hope this star and cluster approach will make outer London more attractive.”
Croydon has already been shortlisted as one possible superhub around which radial transport links would be improved, as have Stratford in the east, Brent Cross in the north and the Heathrow area in the west.
But Mr McKee stressed that the commission also wanted to look at what could be done for other town centres of regional importance.
A number of suggestions were put forward by members of the audience including support for stalled plans to extend tram networks, making south London a centre of cutting-edge green industries, increased use of the Thames for transport and a focus on supporting small and medium sized enterprises.
Sir Bob Scott, chairman of South London Business - which co-hosted the meeting with Newsquest South London - added a stronger influence for outer London would help the capital thrive.
He said : “Far from weakening the centre a strong outer London will end up strengthening inner London and all its attractions.”
- Tell the OLC your ideas for improving south London. Email Outer.LondonCommission@london.gov.uk.
Fred1 says...
10:05pm Wed 4 Mar 09
But then, I think I'd hate to be stuck in a tunnel if there was a very long queue at an exit junction. The A3 tunnel at Hindhead is far far less likely to experience this problem than a motorway tunnel underneath a densely populated urban area.
What can they really do without demolishing loads of houses? A few new bus routes - and maybe a tram extension - but really, what difference is that going to make?
I doubt that the A23 would be rerouted back to Croydon town centre - then again I guess they could build car parks - but then again Croydon town centre has already got lots and lots of multi-storey car parks that overwhelm the local landscape. Perhaps the car parks could be nearer the A23 though - but then, how would people get to Croydon town centre? Oh - I know! A park and ride!
Then again - the car parks at IKEA and the Purley Way shopping centre aren't far from being the closest thing that Croydon has already got to a Park and Ride; it's not that difficult to park your car there and jump on the Tramlink into Croydon if you felt so inclined.
But could they go one better than this? Where's the nearest road to Croydon that's bigger than the A23? That'll be the M23 and M25. And where's the biggest capacity public transport line infrastructure? That'll be the London to Brighton Main Line.
So if they want to go one better than the car park that's already at IKEA, then perhaps it might be a good idea to build a great big car park or two near where the M25 or M23 cross the Brighton Main Line, and build a new railway station there, together with access roads from one of the motorways.
Then again, a car park in such a location would be very likely indeed to attract people visiting, and perhaps even flying from, Gatwick Airport. It may turn out to be so popular with airport users that people who had hoped to use it to visit Croydon won't find any spaces.
But if it *does* have any benefit for Croydon, then the side-benefit for the airport does mean that you might be able to get BAA to chip in. Still, it might be a good idea to provide a bit more green space around central Croydon though, to make it more attractive to those who might travel long distances.
Like I say - no bright ideas from me.