Interchange terminated?

West Hampstead station
Originally uploaded by Ewan-M

The on/off saga of improving links between the various train stations in West Hampstead seems to be moving into its off stage again.

Local campaign group, West Hampstead Amenity and Transport, say that Network Rail have put on hold plans to move the Overground station on West End Lane back a bit, thereby dashing hopes of widening the pavements.

The claim seems to be based on a consultation Network Rail is conducting on selling off land near the Overground station on both sides of West End Lane. According to the Ham & High, such a consultation usually presages a disposal, meaning the land would not be available for pavement widening.

As ever with this issue, nothing is clear cut. A Network Rail spokesman, quoted by the Ham & High, takes issue with the campaigners' interpretation and suggests the interchange could yet go ahead:

This exercise is designed to ensure that Network Rail retains land vital for the operation of the railway and ensures that future aspirations for improvement and expansion at West Hampstead are safeguarded. This consultation does not infer that the land will be sold.