Do You Use Putney Rail Station?
There's a petition for a new second entrance much closer for Wandsworth commuters
Earlier this year local MP Justine Greening met with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to get his support for the plan to get a second entrance at Putney station.
Ms Greening last month followed up with this request: "A second entrance at Putney station would not only ease congestion, but would finally give connectivity with East Putney tube station. This project is supported financially by Wandsworth council. Can the Secretary of State, following our recent meeting, look carefully at what support his Department can give this scheme so it can finally get the go-ahead?"
Mr Grayling responded: "I regard that scheme as a quick win that could make a real difference to passengers. I have asked my officials to consider it carefully, and I will carry on talking about it with my right hon. Friend. I am sympathetic towards the potential benefits of creating a better interchange between the underground and the mainline railway in her constituency."
This is no new concept. Back in 2013 the Thamesfied councillors wrote to the chairman of Network Rail urging him to cut through red tape and give the project the go-ahead.
At that time Cllr Rosemary Torrington said: "A second entrance at Putney station would help to alleviate congestion at peak time, offer easier access for residents living east of the station, facilitate the interchange with the Tube at East Putney station and help to regenerate Upper Richmond Road."
Cllr Torrington advised this website that: "As a ward councillor and chairman of Wandsworth's Passenger Transport Liaison Group I fully support a second station entrance. We've seen significant population and commuter growth on Upper Richmond Road and Putney station is now dangerously congested at peak times. We've been campaigning for a second entrance for some time as well as speaking to Chris Grayling and Sir Peter Hendy to urge them to join the Council in funding and implementing this excellent proposal."
In October 2013 this website was advised by representatives from SW Trains and Network Rail that they were considering the request for a second entrance.
Today (1st August) Justine Greening said: "I think it is now time to lobby Network Rail for funding and support so we can go ahead with the second entrance proposal on Oxford Road. It will drastically improve the connectivity between East Putney station and Putney station, and also reduce congestion and journey times. I’ve started a petition to show the level of local support for the campaign."
To sign the petiton go to: www.ipetitions.com/petition/putney-station
August 2, 2018