A £25million investment into rail routes in Tottenham is a step closer after London business and council leaders backed plans to increase train services. The London Enterprise Panel yesterday recommended the scheme, which would boost frequency through Northumberland Park and Tottenham Hale from one to four trains per hour, should be approved by the Mayor of London.
The project could be part of a wider £72m upgrade of the West Anglia line, improving rail links between a regenerated Tottenham and Stratford, the Upper Lee Valley and Stansted Airport. Haringey Council say they are committed to the major regeneration of Tottenham, with better transport links in the east supporting the thousands of new homes, jobs and leisure destinations set to be created in the area.
Councillor Alan Strickland, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “I’m delighted that Tottenham’s rail revolution is a step closer with this backing from the London Enterprise Panel. Increasing services to four trains an hour at Northumberland Park and Tottenham Hale is crucial to connect our residents to more job opportunities, and is central to our ambitions to make Tottenham a destination for London. We’re excited that business and political leaders from across the capital also see the potential in Tottenham and share our vision for this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”
Under the proposals, submitted by the North London Strategic Alliance – a partnership of north London councils and organisations – a new track would be created between Tottenham Hale and an improved Angel Road in Enfield, allowing for four trains an hour between the two stations. These would be in addition to the already-agreed Network Rail project to upgrade the line from Tottenham Hale to Stratford, including the reopening of Lea Bridge Station in Waltham Forest.
If approved by the Mayor of London, it would bring the total package of funding for rail improvements in Tottenham to nearly £100m. Such improvements are seen as essential to supporting the creation of up to 10,000 new high-quality homes and 5,000 new jobs in the area by 2025.
Work is underway improve access to Tottenham Hale by restoring the one-way system to two-way traffic, while the station’s upgrade next year will prepare it for the proposed Crossrail 2 project and better links to Stansted. The next stage of approval for the £25m project is further assessment by the Greater London Authority’s Investment and Performance Board before final agreement by the Mayor of London.
