Anger over ‘minor works’ for some of Redbridge’s Crossrail stations

Plans for the three area stations on the Crossrail route have been rejected by a group of councillors.

Members of area committee five wrote to Crossrail chief executive Rob Holden in June asking why Chadwell Heath, Goodmayes and Seven Kings stations were not set to be revamped as part of the scheme.

In a written reply shown to residents at Monday’s area committee meeting held in Goodmayes Primary School, Mr Holden said the stations would benefit from “improvement works”.

He said Seven Kings would have “minor works” and no step-free access.

He wrote: “The challenge in keeping this economically vital scheme affordable is about ensuring the scheme is delivered in the most efficient way possible, maximising value for money for the taxpayer, business contributors and future passengers.”

But councillors rebuffed the reasons given, arguing developments in and around Seven Kings would only lead to an increase in the 10,000 daily commuters who currently use the station.

Labour leader Cllr Bob Littlewood said: “It’s a bit like the King George campaign where we have all the political parties trying to get some of this money back.”