Author: Cyril Richert
The council’s planning applications committee has approved plans by Network Rail to enhance Wandsworth Town Station on August 19th, 2010.
The new building would be single storey and glass fronted. The proposals include a new entrance and ticket office to replace the site’s temporary facilities on Old York Road.
With the new building in place, the automatic ticket barriers would be relocated from the narrow subway tunnel where they create heavy queues at peak times.
The move would also improve station security and mean admission to all four of the platforms would be controlled. The current layout allows passengers to access platform one without passing through a ticket barrier.
The scheme would be funded by Network Rail, South West Trains and the council has secured contributions from local developers as a condition of their planning consents (section 106).
The consultation (site notice) was carried out amongst 278 neighbours. The Council received 5 objections mainly regarding the poor design, not in keeping with or compatible with neighbouring the architecture of Old York Road. Concerns were also expressed about the canopy and the sitting replacement was criticised.
The Tonsley Residents’ Association submitted an objection saying that although the entrance to the station, as is, works (ticket office, ticket machines and barriers), the erection of at least two lifts for access to the platforms and major overhauling of the platform surfaces and heights is desperately needed. They also criticised the overall look and design and was depicted as very odd that after all the hard work and effort that has gone into creating Old York Road over the last 25 years or so. In the association’s comment, they also provide documents on Twickenham Station redevelopment and regret that a similar consultation was not entered into here?
Wandsworth Society expressed concerns about the loss of an attractive tree and an area of brick planter, which will much reduce the quality of the brick-paved open area in front of the station, and suggested to move the new building further east, thus preserving the present square and the character of Old York Road.
The planning department welcomed the prospect of improved ticketing and entrance facilities at Wandsworth Town Station. They consider that the design and appearance of the new extensions contributes to an enhanced passenger experience with a carefully considered scheme that respects the original building and provides a modern form that makes the most of the one off opportunity [in peto: we nearly got in the report the “once in a life-time opportunity” used to pass controversial proposals!] and sits comfortably with the original in terms of its shape and proportions.
You can download the full report HERE.
As reported by the press release, planning applications committee chairman Cllr Nick Cuff said:

“It’s been a long time coming but this plan would be a big improvement on the scruffy and impractical facilities at Wandsworth Town.
It would finally mean the ticket barriers are taken out of the subway tunnel where bottlenecks are a source of daily frustration and inconvenience for thousands of commuters.
Wandsworth Town – and in particular Old York Road – has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. New investment in the ageing station is another important step forward for the areas regeneration.“