Proposed Camden Town Station Capacity Upgrade Autumn 2015 public consultation report Version 5 March 2016 Proposed Camden Town Station Capacity Upgrade Autumn 2015 public consultation report Published March 2016 2 Contents 1 Summary 4 2 Introduction 6 3 Background to the scheme 8 4 Methodology 10 5 Overview of consultation responses 13 6 Analysis of consultation responses 20 7 Responses from stakeholders 34 8 Next steps 40 Appendix A1 – Question 2 comments 41 Appendix A2 – Question 3 comments 46 Appendix A3 – Question 12 comments 50 Appendix B – Consultation leaflet 52 Appendix C – Leaflet distribution area 56 Appendix D – Letter to Stakeholders 57 Appendix E – Email to Stakeholders 58 Appendix G – Letter to near neighbours (leaseholders/tenant of property) 60 Appendix I – Email to Oyster card users 72 Appendix J – Camden Town Library drop-in event poster 73 Appendix K – Press release 74 Appendix L – Public Exhibition display boards 76 Appendix M – Questionnaire 84 3 1 Summary 1.1 In Autumn 2015 Transport for London (TfL) conducted a nine week public consultation on the proposal to substantially upgrade the capacity of Camden Town station. The consultation ran from 12 October to 11 December 2015. 1.2 Information about the proposals was available online. Members of the public and other stakeholders could give their views either by completing a questionnaire, responding by email or by post. The questionnaire could be filled in either online or by a paper copy. 1.3 The consultation was supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign: 17,000 consultation leaflets were sent out to local residents and businesses Emails were sent to 256,000 Oystercard users who have used the station or passed through the station Letters and emails were sent to local, London wide and national statutory and non-statutory stakeholder groups and individuals Letters and leaflets were sent to owners of properties who are immediate neighbours of the proposed work site. We also walked around this area and spoke to many businesses about the consultation Press release Promotion through Twitter with tweets through @TfL linking to the consultation Public exhibition over three days, where people could speak to the project team Leafletting outside Camden Town station on days of the exhibition and a poster at the station Two afternoon sessions at Camden Town Library where people could meet the project team 1.4 The consultation received 1744 responses, including 26 from stakeholders and interest groups. 94% (1640) of responses were received online, with 6% (104) received by email (49) or paper copy (55). 1.5 We asked three questions about the proposed capacity upgrade: 1. Do you agree or disagree that there is a need for a capacity upgrade of Camden Town station? 2. Please let us have any comments about the need for a capacity upgrade of the station. 3. Please let us have any comments about our proposals for a possible new second entrance for the station 1.6 95% of respondents agreed there was a need for a capacity upgrade of the station (question 1). 4 1.7 Respondents could make several comments when answering a question. 1199 respondents made 2986 comments about the need for a capacity upgrade (question 2). There were 2084 comments which described why the proposed upgrade is needed. The most frequently made comments: agreed with our rationale for the upgrade; discussed a number of problems of the overcrowding at the station and highlighted that this is important for the regeneration of Camden as a growing business area. We also received 902 comments about general issues about the proposal. The most frequently made comments: gave general support; wanted the proposals to be implemented as soon as possible; highlighted this would ease congestion; and supported step-free access. 1.8 1106 respondents made 2141 comments about our proposals for a possible new second entrance (question 3). The most frequently made comments: supported the proposal in general; that a new entrance is needed; supported the location of the second entrance; considered the proposals would ease congestion; and requested that the sooner the proposals are implemented the better. 1.9 Section 6 of the report provides a summary of consultation responses. Appendices A1, A2 and A3 provide a full breakdown of comments made to the open ended questions. 1.10 We have published a separate report, “Response to issues raised in Autumn 2015 Consultation” together with this report on our consultation website. We will contact everyone who responded to the consultation and provided us with an email or postal address to let them know that both reports are available. 1.11 Engagement on the proposals is ongoing. Since the consultation closed in December 2015 we have engaged further with LB Camden and other stakeholders. There is a project email address [email protected] and we continue to respond to requests for information. 1.11 Work on the project continues. We anticipate a second round of consultation later in 2016 on a possible new building above the proposed second entrance of the station. We also anticipate a third round of consultation in 2017 on the design of the proposals, prior to an application for permission to carry out the capacity upgrade through a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO). 1.12 An overall consultation report, highlighting all the consultation and engagement activities carried out to inform the proposals will be submitted as part of our TWAO. 5 2 Introduction 2.1 We are proposing to substantially upgrade the capacity of Camden Town station. 2.2 A possible site for a new station entrance would be on Buck Street, between Camden High Street and Kentish Town Road. It would lead to three new escalators and two lifts. Below ground there would be more space to board, alight and change between trains. 6 2.3 We carried out a public consultation on the need for a capacity upgrade and our proposals between 12 October and 11 December 2015. The responses we received will be used to inform design and planning work before we carry out further consultations. 2.4 Subject to support in principle, funding being agreed, further consultation and the proposal being endorsed by the Mayor, we would apply to the Secretary of State for Transport for powers to build the new second entrance and below ground works. This would be through a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO). This application could be submitted in 2017. A decision could be expected in 2019. If permission is granted for the upgrade works to take place, construction would take about four years with the new station entrance open in 2023/4. 7 3 Background to the scheme 3.1 Camden Town is a unique and exciting area with a wide range of passengers using the station. We are keen to deliver an upgrade that will give Camden the station it deserves. 3.2 The need for a capacity upgrade at Camden Town station has been considered for many years. In 2000, TfL commissioned a study to assess options for a major station capacity upgrade. The resulting scheme required the demolition and redevelopment of an entire urban block surrounded by Camden High Street, Kentish Town Road and Buck Street within the Camden Town Conservation Area. The application to develop the station was unsuccessful in 2004. Although the transport case was accepted, the TWAO was not granted because of concerns regarding the proposed building above and around the new station ( the over site development) and the impact on neighbouring residents and businesses. 3.3 Since 2004 many more people have been using the station, with a 60 per cent increase over the past 10 years. At peak times there is congestion for people entering and leaving, and for those changing trains. We regularly have to send customers down spiral stairs, make the station exit only, or hold people outside the ticket gates. If we do nothing these measures will become more frequent. The station needs improving so that it can properly support the vibrant local community and economy. 3.4 Future demand for use of the station is set to grow. By 2031 demand will exceed what the station can handle by 7,000 in the mornings and 12,000 in the evenings. The existing congestion problems will only get worse unless there is a substantial upgrade of the capacity of the station. 3.5 The possible new station entrance could be on the site of Hawley Infants School, Buck Street. The school is moving to new premises and the anticipated date for this move is September 2016. The new entrance would lead to three new escalators and two lifts providing step-free access from the street to trains. Below ground there would be more space to board, alight and change between trains. This would in turn enable future capacity benefits on the Northern line. 3.6 The existing station entrance would remain in use with no changes to nearby buildings. 3.7 The station would remain open during busy periods removing the need for frequent crowd control measures. 3.8 In 2016 we will also carry out a public consultation on the building above the proposed new station entrance and ways to improve the public space outside the station entrance. We will work closely with Camden Council to make sure these proposals complement the area’s unique identity and character. 8 3.9 The capacity upgrade is part of a large investment programme to transform the Northern line including: a signalling upgrade which has achieved a 20 percent increase in capacity through central London; proposed 24-hour Night Tube service on Fridays and Saturdays between Morden and High Barnet/Edgware via Charing Cross; plans to increase capacity and improve stations at Elephant & Castle, Tottenham Court Road and Bank.