Local London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold OBE AM, has today written to the Deputy Mayor for Transport, Heidi Alexander, concerning the range of issues facing residents living next to Chingford Rail Depot. Her letter follows the Deputy Mayor’s visit to the area last week, organised by Ms Arnold, where residents of Springfield Road raised their concerns regarding the excessive noise produced trains and the disruptive glare of overhead lights overnight within the train depot premises.
In her letter, Ms Arnold sets out a number of measures that Transport for London (TfL) and transport operator, Arriva, could take to mitigate the problems being faced by residents.
Following Arriva’s decision to cut down trees surrounding the Chingford Railway depot, households on Springfield Road have lodged complaints about their increased exposure, throughout the night, to the glare of overhead or ‘gantry’ lights situated within the depot premises.
During last week’s visit to Chingford Rail Depot, representatives from Arriva explained that the felling of the trees took place as a security measure to prevent trespassers and graffiti artists accessing the depot. However, they apologised for their lack of communication and consultation with residents before removing the trees. In addition, the representatives provided assurances that they are currently in the process of assessing whether the lights can be changed to reduce the glare they emit and screened with a hood.
Alongside the issue of light pollution, the local community also underlined the lack of maintenance around the depot’s perimeter and the consequent build-up of rubbish. In her letter, Ms Arnold has asked the Deputy Mayor for Transport to confirm her plans for a year-round plan to be put in place as part of a green space initiative to improve the cleanliness of the area.
During the visit, Springfield Road residents also highlighted the longstanding problem of excessive noise and screeching produced by trains entering the depot overnight. Ms Arnold is following up on TfL’s assurances that the arrival of the new fleet of Class 710 trains, expected to be in service by the end of the year, will lead to a reduced level of disruption. In the interim, TfL have pledged to look into lubrication as another possible solution to dampen the screeching noises.
Local London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold OBE AM said:
“For too long, beleaguered Springfield Road residents have suffered serious disruption from the excessive noise and light pollution generated from the Chingford Rail Depot throughout the night.
“It was very positive that on my invitation, the Deputy Mayor for Transport and TfL and Arriva representatives came to visit the site and engage directly with local people and their long-standing concerns.
“Arriva have rightly apologised for their poor track record of communication with Springfield Road residents, so it has been constructive to go forward from the visit with a list of action points that will hopefully resolve the outstanding catalogue of grievances.
“I have written to the Deputy Mayor to gain assurances that the necessary measures will be put in place as soon as possible to provide some light at the end of the tunnel for Springfield Road community”.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Notes
- A copy of Jennette Arnold OBE AM’s letter to the Deputy Mayor for Transport Heidi Alexander can be found attached;
- Jennette Arnold AM is the London Assembly Member for the North East (covering Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest).