Let’s Make West Hampstead a Better Place!
LIFT FOR TUBE STATION RISES UP THE AGENDA!
23 May 2025
WHAT has been campaigning for years for step free access to our tube. Not only people with disabilities need a lift, but anyone who has difficulty with steps or who has a buggy or heavy luggage. The new Thameslink and Overground stations have lifts – so why not West Hampstead Tube station?
We have recently had good news. At WHAT’s public meeting in March 2025, Transport for London (TfL) gave us a presentation of their work their ‘concept design’ to provide a lift for West Hampstead tube station . You can find the slides here.
The picture above is an artist’s impression of how the outside of West Hampstead tube station might look.
This followed a meeting between WHAT and TfL’s station designers– the first since we met them to discuss options in 2019. They explained that TfL is strongly committed to providing a lift and that it has already considered various options before arriving at the current one. But the design could change, as detailed work is carried out before it is submitted to Camden Council for planning approval.
Here are some things to know about the proposal:
- West Hampstead tube station is cramped and overcrowded in the rush hour. The design includes more ticket barriers and a new side entrance. These will improve the flow of passengers through the station and reduce crowding.
- The lift would be sited behind the existing stairs to the platform. There would be a walkway either side of the stairs to reach a landing in front of the lift. The lift would come down in the middle of the platform.
- There would be step-free access from the street to the platforms. Step free access to trains would add to cost and would be difficult, as the trains doors are lower than te platforms at West Hampstead. Step free access to trains is not currently proposed.
- The small shops to the left of the station would, sadly, be demolished. They sit on TfL-owned land, which is needed as a construction base for what will be a complicated project. The area is also needed to make space to expand the station.
- When complete, there would be an open area where the little shops now are – with possibly a coffee shop or similar. This would make more circulation space for passengers and residents.
When will it happen? That’s where it gets difficult! TfL told us that if they started tomorrow, it could get completed in two years, which sounded optimistic to us. But there is still a major money problem. TfL doesn’t have much to spare and has already done the concept design at its own expense. TfL has always said that it could not complete the job without an external money contribution.
Landsec’s planning application for the O2 development in West Hampstead, which Camden approved in March 2023, included £10 million in funding for step free access for the Tube, plus other sums to improve the nearby roads. Hooray!
But, there is a big But. In the planning agreement (S.106) for the O2 scheme, some of that money is not due to be paid until O2 Phase 2 starts construction. That’s the area now occupied by the VW/Audi garages – and even O2 Phase 1 isn’t due to start construction until the end of 2026! It could be years before there will be a ‘spade in the ground’ to start O2 Phase 2.
WHAT is looking to Camden Council and Landsec find a way of persuading TfL to start work on the West Hampstead lift as soon as possible, without letting more years go by!
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ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL WORLD CAR FREE DAY IN WEST HAMPSTEAD!
SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2024
WEST END LANE WAS CLOSED FOR A DAY
After the success of our anniversary celebration in 2023, West End Lane was closed again on 22nd September 2024 to allow everyone in West Hampstead to stroll up and down their favourite street in peace, stopping off at local cafes and shops.
In 2024, we had community stalls, a magician, activities for children and music by local musicians. There was information about recycling and re-use of rubbish, and the Camden Health Bus will give medical check ups.
Free guided Walks of West Hampstead were given by Mary Tucker of London Walks. Tours of Hampstead Synagogue and of Emmanuel Church were arranged. Fire engines were on display at West Hampstead Fire Station and the local Neighbourhood Police team were on hand to talk to residents.
Do please sign up as a member of West Hampstead’s oldest local community group or fill in the online form .
The road was closed from 9am to 5pm except for buses and emergency vehicles in the main shopping area of West Hampstead.
Big thanks to Camden Council and Dutch and Dutch Estate Agents for supporting our event.
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SAVE SCRATCHCARDS FOR VISITOR PARKING IN CAMDEN!
5 February 2024
WHAT has joined with other local organisations in Camden that share our demand to retain scratch card vouchers for visitor parking.
We issued the following statement :
Joint Statement by WHAT and Local Groups in Camden
“1. We are a group of Camden based associations representing many residents. We strongly urge Camden Council to retain scratch card vouchers for visitor parking across the borough – alongside the digital permit system. We believe this is essential if Camden’s policies are to support all sections of its community.
2. The removal of scratch cards would have an adverse, discriminatory impact on older, vulnerable and less affluent residents, resulting in increased levels of loneliness, anxiety and stress – to the considerable detriment of well-being and independence.
3. As widely documented, reliance on electronic media is a major cause of digital exclusion due to its unequal impact. Feedback from countless members without access to or ability to use digital devices or negotiate complex phone parking options on the spot confirms how strongly this impact and resulting anxiety would be felt if scratch cards were removed.
For example, here is some feedback from West Hampstead residents:
‘I cannot emphasise too much how this proposal would impact our life – it is nothing more than discrimination against the older generation and against our human rights’.
‘I am now over 80 and would not be prepared to use a much more complicated method which involves a telephone call and needless anxiety on my part’.
‘Everything seems to be done on-line these days and I cannot cope with it. At times over the last year my mobility has been impaired and I have had to rely heavily on a couple of relatives who live where buses are very infrequent so need to drive here to help me out. If it hadn’t been for a few scratch cards left I don’t know what we would have done’.
4. Scratch cards for visitor parking should be retained alongside the digital system. This need is recognised by many other London councils which retain the dual system. The vast majority of Camden residents will always need visitor parking permits – even for half hour visits. Paper based systems are best placed to deal with the many challenging situations of urban life that demand practical and flexible approaches.”
Background
The Council is planning changes to the parking permit system, which includes higher charges for more-polluting vehicles. WHAT does not object to these in principle, but one part of the scheme is the scrapping of paper visitor permits. These are permits allow visitors to park their car or van near the homes of residents valid for an hour or two or for a day.
WHAT has campaigned for to save scratchcards for visitor parking. The council wants all residents to login to the council’s website and apply for a permit online, using the vehicle registration number of the visiting person or company.
WHAT says that the removal of scratchcards would have an adverse, discriminatory impact on older, vulnerable and less affluent residents, resulting in increased levels of loneliness, anxiety and stress – to the considerable detriment of well-being.
The sole use of electronic media has an unequal impact and is an example of digital exclusion. Feedback from WHAT members confirms how strongly this impact and resulting anxiety would be felt if scratchcards are removed.
We believe that the paper based (scratchcard) system is best placed to deal with the many challenging situations of urban life that demand practical and flexible approaches. This need is recognised by many other London councils such as Hackney, Wandsworth, Islington, Southwark, Redbridge, Waltham Forest.
Parking restrictions vary considerably in length across Camden with many areas restricted for 10 hours every weekday – or more. This means that in varying degree most residents will always need visitor parking permits – even for a brief half hour visit. The provision of paper permits is an essential and practical way of satisfying this demand.
The two tier charging system for visitor permits – penalising more polluting vehicles – serves no practical purpose since residents will generally have no control over what type of car of van is used by their visitors. High-polluting vehicles are already penalised by the Low Emission Zone charge, which represents a very strong incentive for all drivers.
Our firm conclusion is that scratch cards for visitor parking should be retained alongside the digital system for arranging visitor parking sessions. You can find our detailed response to the Council’s consultation here.
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WORLD CAR FREE DAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2023
WEST END LANE CLOSED TO CELEBRATE WHAT‘S 50TH ANNIVERSARY!
West Hampstead Amenity & Transport (WHAT) is West Hampstead’s oldest amenity group, and celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2023. WHAT started in 1973 as a protest against traffic schemes that would have turned some of our local streets into major through roads. Since then, we’ve campaigned on dozens of different issues. We’ve tried to reduce the use of disposable coffee cups locally. We work with other local groups on development issues like the O2. Our big current fight is for a lift at West Hampstead tube station.
To celebrate, we were granted a closure of part of West End Lane on Sunday 24th September 2023. It was a runaway success and we hope to do it again in 2024. The normally very busy West End Lane was closed to all traffic except buses (and emergency vehicles) from 7am to 6pm.
West Hampstead residents and visitors enjoyed a stroll up their favourite street in peace. The response from the public was overwhelmingly positive. Many commented on the wonderful atmosphere and feeling of the place – how the air smelt cleaner. Cyclists old and young rode up in safety It really felt like the community coming together. Take a look the video by film maker Mark McEvoy in which people give their opinions.
Some comments from the public:
‘Amazing can feel the atmosphere’
‘This really is fantastic’
‘Do it every week’
‘It was such a joy to be able to sit outside and eat, and such a lovely atmosphere.
Music was provided by Alan Johnson and friends. Guided walks led by Mary Tucker of walks.com
A big thank you to our sponsors of Car Free Day
– Dutch & Dutch Estate Agents – principal sponsors https://www.dutchanddutch.com/
– Tannin and Oak wine shop and bar on West End Lane http://www.tanninandoak.com/
– Hunters Estate Agents https://www.hunters.com/about-us/offices/west-hampstead
Thanks are also due to London Borough of Camden, which put the road closure in place and which has enthusiastically supported our event.
Read about how West Hampstead Amenity & Transport (WHAT )started in 1973 and about our campaigns past and present. Open or download the Newsletter here (39Mbytes)
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WHAT DID WHAT DO IN 2022 AND 2023?
Raising Issues about West Hampstead’s environment
We’ve done a lot of work with Camden’s local ‘enforcement officer’ for West Hampstead to improve rubbish and recycling practice, including helping to identify fly tips, rubbish ‘hotspots’ and other issues raised by our membersAdvising on measures to deal with bins left on pavements.
WHAT’s leaflet giving advice on recycling and rubbish – designed for landlords to use with tenants – has prompted a major initiative (led by the enforcement officer) with local HMOs, otherwise known as houses in multiple occupation
Special bins will soon be introduced for flats above shops in West End Lane – with Mill Lane to follow. These will be located at agreed spots along the two main roads
West Hampstead ward was the most enforced of Camden’s wards in 2022 for various environmental offences including business waste compliance and fly tips.
One of our major campaigns has been for substantial reductions in single use plastics – for example with our Coffee Cup Challenge which promoted the uptake of re-usable coffee cups across West Hampstead’s coffee shops.
WHAT’s AGM in March was followed by a public meeting – WHAT about Water? – with speakers from Thames Water and the South Hampstead Flood Action Group.
Raising Issues about local developments, transport and traffic
Recent WHAT activities include:
- Collaboration with a confederation of local groups affected by the 02 development plans – see over page
- Maintaining pressure for a lift at West Hampstead Underground station – particularly relevant given our location as a major transport interchange hub – with lifts already in place at Thameslink and Overground stations.
- Working with Camden to alter the lights and pedestrian crossings at the interchange by the stations.
- Raising a variety of local transport and traffic issues – for example with:
- Thameslink re clarity of overhead train times monitor at the Black Path entrance
- Transport for London – re changes to bus routes – both temporary and permanent
- Putting pressure on TFL and Camden to try and move the airport coach stop on Finchley Road to in front of Waitrose, or up by the O2 Centre.
WHAT’s Position on the O2 Development Scheme
- WHAT spoke against Landsec’s application for the O2 Masterplan scheme at Camden’s Planning Committee meeting on 30th March 2023. The meeting approved the scheme, which is awaiting approval by the Greater London Authority.
- Our position is very similar to that of the West Hampstead Neighbourhood Forum (NDF). We agree that the site should be used for housing and that there is a desperate need for affordable housing. We agree that car parking is a poor use for a large part of the site.
- We opposed the scheme because it is too high and too dense. The proposed 14-15 storey development of tightly packed tower blocks is alien to the surrounding area will ‘stick out like a sore thumb’ when viewed from any angle.
- There is not a enough social and affordable housing in the scheme and we think that the developer can afford to provide more. Much of it is back-loaded in the last phase of the project in 10-15 years’ time.
- The lengthy phasing of the scheme means that key community benefits are deferred until later phases. Phase 2 is to be built on the site of the VW/Audi garages and not owned by the applicant – and yet it is here that the medical facility and a larger garden area is to be provided.
- The developer’s ‘planning obligations’ provide for £10m towards step free access at West Hampstead tube station – but with no commitment to a date for the payment. We feel that a separate proposal from Builder Depot to develop their side may allow the tube station to be upgraded sooner. We will continue to campaign vigorously for a lift.
WHAT’s first in-person meeting in over two years was on Wednesday 16th February 2022 at 7.30pm. It was our Annual General Meeting, and was followed by a public meeting at 8pm on the Landsec O2 redevelopment scheme.
Landsec plc, the owner of the O2 car park and O2 Centre, wishes to redevelop the site to provide as many as 1,800 new flats. Many of you will have already attended meetings and webinars at which Landsec has explained its scheme, and its planning application has been submitted to Camden Council. The aim of this meeting was to gain an understanding of the scheme from Camden’s point of view, and of the constraints to which the Council will be subject in its decision making. We wanted to understand the impact of the O2 development on West Hampstead and on the West Hampstead community, and what is being done and/or should be done to mitigate this impact.
Daniel Pope’s presentation is here
Our meeting took place on the very day that Landsec’s planning application for the O2 Development was published on Camden’s website. The very lengthy planning documents can be found here, along with comments from members of the public. The documents are numerous and large (in terms both of number of pages and download size in megabytes) You’ll do best to first download and store them on your computer and then open them from the computer, as there is a lot of reading to do. All planning applications are like this!
The most relevant documents are: Planning Statement; Design and Access Statement (DAS) Parts 1 and 2; Transport Assessment; Design Codes; Affordable Housing Statement.
West Hampstead Amenity & Transport - WHAT 