Small south London town set to be transformed by Crossrail 2 but people fear Croydon-like skyscrapers

People living in a small town in south London that will be transformed with a Crossrail 2 station if plans go ahead say they are unsure whether they will use the line. The successor to the Elizabeth line would run from Surrey south of the capital, to Hertfordshire north of the city, specifically between Epsom, Shepperton and Chessington South and Broxbourne and New Southgate.

Transport for London (TfL) currently says the land is being watched for any development that could block the project. It would target the busiest stations and lines on the London Underground and National Rail networks.

This includes ‘major interchange sites’. Worcester Park is one of the smaller London towns set to benefit from a station, however people are divided over the benefits and some fear the tall buildings will change the look of the area.

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One of them is Mark Ball, 59, a private hospital maintenance worker who moved to the area 37 years ago from the North East. He said: “I hope it doesn’t bring any bigger buildings… I don’t want to see anything tall. I think it would spoil the feel of the area.”

But he also said: “People around here definitely need opportunities for apartments.” Of the new rail link itself, he said: “It’s not really something we would use. We ride motorbikes – it’s really the best way to get around. I think at the very least a lot more money in the area would be a good thing, for sure.”

Mr Ball’s wife, Donna Frankcom, 57, who works in insurance accounts, said: “People need good public transport… It’s about finding the right balance, isn’t it? All the idiots say they don’t want housing but they want the transport links, the doctors and everything. It’s six and two three.”

But Ms Frankcom noted that the construction of taller buildings in some areas of south London was making them look more like Croydon, which has seen a wave of skyscrapers built in the city centre in recent years. She stressed that this was not a slight on Croydon.

Ross Nelson, 65, who owned Ross’s Fruiterers on Central Road for The 33-year-old said: “I would love to see it done.” He specifically mentioned that it would make it easier to go and watch Tottenham Hotspur games in the north of the city.

‘People are so ingrained in their habits now, it doesn’t matter’

Mr Nelson added: “It would be brilliant for me.” However, when asked if it would revitalise Worcester Park, he said: “I just think the country is f***ed up. People are so stuck in their ways now, it doesn’t matter.” The businessman also said Wimbledon had become “a bit busier”, but added: “People like us down here – it’s not very attractive (to have a new rail link). It’s not going to bring anyone here as such.”

He added: “I’ve seen a lot of changes. This used to be a very busy high street. When I started in 1981 there were six greengrocers, three butchers, two bakers.”
Fellow businesswoman Gaynor Lamb, 59, who runs Conservatory Florist, says she is moving out of her business premises to operate from home after 20 years on the high street. On Crossrail 2, she said: “It wouldn’t bother me – I’m leaving the area anyway. I’m taking the business home.”

“They took out all the benches; the movement is over”

Asked if Crossrail 2 would improve things for local businesses, Ms Lamb said: “They’ve taken out all the banks; the foot traffic has gone. That’s why all the businesses are going away, like me. People used to come and shop here and look around (…) There’s nothing. It’s full of barbers, full of hairdressers.

“Anything that can’t be done online – that’s what you’re going to come here for. It’s really gone downhill because of stores closing, certain small businesses closing. Unfortunately, that’s not bringing people to the area. There’s no point being here (…) if I’m not getting people in the door.”

On the prospect of new infrastructure, the businesswoman added: “With the train station, parking is very poor around here. People are obviously parking here and going to work.” Ms Lamb suggested a large car park was needed at Crossrail 2 station, adding that the lack of parking on the high street was “taking that away from our customers probably as well”.

Mark Barr, 60, a retired education manager, has lived in Worcester Park for 35 years. Sitting on a bench on the high street, he told MyLondon: “I’m rretired, so I don’t go anywhere. It would be nice (if) you could cross London, but I would rarely use it. Once a year, maybe?”

‘It’s not exactly a sprawling metropolis

Mr Barr added: “All it’s doing is taking people out of the area. I don’t think people would come to Worcester Park. It’s not exactly a sprawling metropolis. It might make things better for people who work in the city centre. But on the other hand, we’re only 25 minutes from Waterloo. I don’t see it making a huge difference.”

Gerald McCullough, 65, works part-time taking disabled children to school. He used to be in the scientific civil service. He suggested that Crossrail 2 would probably be finished in 20 years. “I’ll probably be dead by then,” Mr McCollough said.

He added that he thought it was a “good idea” actually, but said: “I don’t think the government is going to pay for it. Look at the state of the prisons – they’re letting everyone out, aren’t they?”

The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, told MyLondon in April: “Of course I want to see the investment in infrastructure that our country needs to grow after 14 years of mismanagement. But we always have to show where the money is going to come from, and we need to grow the economy so that we can free up funds for crucial infrastructure investment.”

Paula, 52, and her mother Dorothy, 87, were sitting on a bench near the current National Rail station. Paula said: “We wouldn’t use it. It might be better for people in the area who work in London – but we won’t do it. We won’t go far.”

An elderly man told MyLondon further down the street: “The last time I took a train it was a steam train.”

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