Agenda item

(Nina Peak, South Eastern Railways, to attend)

(A) Southeastern Proposals

Nina Peak, Partnership Manager, Southeastern Railways, was not able to attend the meeting as planned. The Chairman requested that the Working Group’s disappointment be recorded. 

The station was owned by Network Rail and leased by Southeastern Railways, who were developing plans for the refurbishment of the station buildings. Southeastern had clearance to proceed with initial surveys. Nina Peak had sent some initial sketch drawings and a statement for circulation. For Southeastern, the main issue was to improve the booking hall and facilities for the increasing numbers of passengers (currently some 2.5million per year), but they were aware of the local concerns about maintaining the heritage of the station. The proposals were not primarily about increasing retail units at the station - one additional outlet would be created. Tables for a coffee shop were indicated in the booking hall. The notes indicated that Southeastern were also looking to provide better walking routes and information outside the station building.

The key issue was the design of the front elevation, and their approach was to maintain views of the features of the original building by adding a glass box at the front. It was suggested that this would be more effective if the extension was completely glass, without the brick elements at each side. Most Working Group members supported the approach of keeping the new and old elements distinct and separate, although a number felt that the extension should only be constructed in matching materials and with a sympathetic traditional design. All were agreed that a higher quality design was required. 

Other comments included –

• Could the chimney structures be brought back into use with wind turbines?;

• The gents toilets needed more than one cubicle;

• Details were required of proposals for the Waitrose side of the station – it was suggested that a ticket machine was required there.

Officers were in contact with the Railway Heritage Group and the Working Group’s comments would be passed to them.

Southeastern Railways would be invited to a future meeting.

(B) Station Forecourt – East Plans

The second major scheme submission to TfL had included some budget for the station forecourt, and East had prepared some sketch plans for how the forecourt could look; copies were circulated. East proposed moving the bus stop closer to the tram stop and removing clutter. Their sketches indicated an increase of two parking spaces, although this had not been checked in detail. The following comments were made –

·  More clarity was needed for pick up and set down arrangements.

·  The arrangements for taxi marshalling at night needed to be looked at.

·  The walking route towards the tram stop should be covered if possible.

·  Some people liked the “Beckenham” sign with individual lettering, while others felt a more traditional approach was needed.

·  There was a potential pinch point where the pavement narrowed at the station end of the eastern parking bays.

·  The bicycle parking needed to be more secure and to be covered.

·  Bicycle parking could be used as in the Sydenham scheme in place of bollards to protect pedestrian areas.

·  Seating needed to be organised, preferably with groups of traditional benches rather than random stone blocks.

·  Better transport interchange between trains, trams and buses was supported, but not devoting more of the forecourt to a bus terminal.

·  Installing a pedestrian refuge in Rectory Road near the junction with The Crescent should be investigated.

·  A similar approach was needed for the northern side of the station.