EBRA News

We are writing to you as part of the Council’s statutory consultation process to seek your views on our proposal to introduce new measures on Brunswick Park Road and Church Hill Road. The proposals aim to improve safety for all road users, and in particular pedestrians.

The proposals incorporate the following engineering measures:

1. Introduce a 20mph speed limit along Church Hill Road and Brunswick Park Road, from the junction with East Barnet Road in the north to the junction with Waterfall Road in the south.

2. Introduce a new uncontrolled crossing over Church Hill Road, close to Rushdene Avenue, making a safer crossing place for pedestrians close to Oak Hill Park.

3. Upgrade existing zebra crossing on Church Hill Road, outside Church Hill School, to a zebra crossing atop a raised table to improve safety for pedestrians.

4. Upgrade existing zebra crossing on Brunswick Park Road, between Osidge Lane and junction with Prevost Road, to a zebra crossing atop a raised table to improve safety for pedestrians.

5. Upgrade existing zebra crossing on Osidge Lane, near Brunswick Park Road mini roundabout, to a zebra crossing atop a raised table to improve safety for pedestrians.

6. Upgrade existing zebra crossing on Brunswick Park Road, near junction with Benfleet Way, to a zebra crossing atop a raised table to improve safety for pedestrians.

7. Introduce speeds cushions along Brunswick Park Road and Church Hill Road that act as a complementary measure to ensure a low-speed environment, as detailed in the enclosed drawing.

8. Enhance the mouths of junctions by tightening the radius of kerb and introducing tactile paving, improving safety for pedestrians, as detailed in the enclosed drawing.

9. Introduction of a southwest bound one-way system along Spencer Road with the aim of restricting rat-running.

10. Incorporate ‘Double Yellow Lines’ around junctions as detailed in the enclosed drawing to improve visibility for pedestrians and motorists.

The proposals are illustrated on the enclosed drawing RSE043_BrunswickPark_SC-100-01-03.

This letter is being sent to you as part of the council’s statutory consultation process for the proposals outlined above. The proposals are also being advertised in the Barnet Times and the London Gazette on 5 December 2024 and notices are also being put up in the area advising of the proposed changes.

We want to hear from you

You can have your say on our proposals by completing our online questionnaire at: engage.barnet.gov.uk.

The closing date for the consultation is Thursday 16 January 2025.

If you are unable to complete the questionnaire online and would like to request a paper copy, please call Highways Correspondence section on 020 8359 3555 or email HighwaysCorrespondence@Barnet.gov.uk, quoting reference number RSE043.

We are asking each household to complete only one questionnaire, so please ensure that the views given are representative of your household or business.

What happens next?

All the responses will be carefully analysed, and the outcome will help us determine what action needs to be taken to address areas of concern; it is therefore very important that you take this opportunity to express your views.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at the email address or on the telephone number above.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Everyone consulted as part of this exercise will be notified via Engage Barnet of the outcome of this consultation and our intended course of action in due course.

Yours faithfully,

Highways Service

You can download the above letter and drawings here (PDF 9.4MB)

[news item updated on Thu 05-Dec-2024]

Arnos Grove Station Car Parks Update

Update which previous Arnos Grove councillor Daniel Anderson posted on the Save Cockfosters Facebook group [link]

FOI [Freedom of Information Request] Response Reveals Delays Until 2025

You might have been wondering why the housing development at Arnos Grove Station has ground to a halt since work began back in March 2023. So I submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Transport for London (TfL), and this is what they’ve said:

They have have confirmed that the project, which aims to build 162 new homes, was delayed due to new fire safety regulations issued by the government. These regulations required a redesign of the internal layout of one of the buildings. The planning amendment for this has been approved, but work won’t restart until 2025 – once a new contractor is selected.

TfL has used the site recently for upgrades to the Piccadilly line, but no progress on the housing development has been made. They’ve promised to introduce the main contractor to the community via a drop-in session before construction resumes, but [no] firm completion date has been provided.

Whilst Connected Living London (TfL’s partner) claims they’ve kept the community informed via their website and notifications, there hasn’t been much direct communication with residents. The project website [givemyview.com/arnosgrove] is being updated, but it seems like we are being left in the dark about real progress.

Notably, TfL have refused to disclose how these delays are impacting the project’s budget, citing concerns about their ability to secure the best value from contractors, which raises some concerns about potential cost overruns and how it’s being managed behind the scenes.

Here is the income TfL had from the car parks over the last 5 years.

2018/19 £379,014
2019/20 £380,311
2020/21 £59,110
2021/22 £165,694
2022/23 £210,689 (closed in March 2023)

Even accounting for the pandemic, since the closure of the car parks in March last year TfL have lost well over £300,000 in revenue.

[updated on Tue 10-Sep-2024]

Cockfosters Station Car Park In Danger AGAIN!

The new government's Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh has cancelled the veto which Grant Shapps, the then Secretary of State for Transport imposed in March 2022. It's highly likely the design of the tower blocks will have to be improved in the light of the post-Grenfell fire safety guidance, and new building regulations and planning applications will have to be approved. This might include measures (such as additional staircases) which will impact cost. More information on the Save Cockfosters website.

Prince of Wales pub - update

tap / click to read the press release

Update from East Barnet councillor Phil Cohen on 8/7/2024

Hi POW supporters!

In case you thought developments around the Prince of Wales had gone quiet, work is going ahead for a big refurbishment which will lead to a re-opening probably in early 2025.

Richard Ferrier, CEO of Heartwood Collection the hospitality group that has bought the Prince of Wales, has been talking about his group’s plans and he is keen to meet local residents to hear about how they see the future. He said they had been looking at the pub for some months before it closed as they enjoy being involved with pubs that have a base in their communities, and was very encouraged by the support of the local East Barnet population.

It has taken time to prepare a planning application for an extension at the rear of the pub so the new look will include a dining area, a large welcoming bar and an outside terrace. The iconic frontage of the pub will stay largely the same except for new signage and painting. The aim is to employ a team of 55-60 people working at the POW.

Richard is delighted to have the backing of your local East Barnet councillors and MP, as well as the East Barnet Residents' Association.

I will be in touch with EBRA to set up a meeting so Richard and his group can come and explain to residents more fully what they are doing. Meanwhile you can contact me at cllr.p.cohen@barnet.gov.uk if you have any queries. Thanks for your continued support.

[updated on Mon 08-Jul-2024]

The planning application for the internal and external changes to the building was approved by Barnet Council on Mon 09-Sep-2024

[updated on Tue 10-Sep-2024]

Goodbye Save New Barnet...

EBRA has worked with and supported the Save New Barnet campaign for the past sixteen years, but it has now retired. It's unfortunate that their alternative proposals for developing the old Gasworks site in a more sympathetic way were not adopted. You can read their final newsletter by clicking / tapping the image.

North London Business Park Expansion PLANNING APPEAL REFUSED

Plans to double the number of housing units to be built on the North London Business Park in taller tower blocks were refused by Barnet Council's Strategic Planning Committee. Comer Homes appealed to the Government's Planning Inspectorate to try to overturn this decision, but the appeal was refused. The appeal decision is here.

Full details on our dedicated campaign website nlbp.eastbar.net

[updated on 2024-03-18]

Guide to Oak Hill Park & Wood

We have published our latest guide to Oak Hill Park and Wood on the Friends website foohp.eastbar.net/maps

[updated on Wed 22-Feb-2023]

Public Space Protection Order

A Borough-wide PSPO is now in operation.
Full details are here (3 MB PDF)

Notice Boards

There are two notice boards in Oak Hill Park - by the Golf and by the Café - and we now have keys to them. If anyone has information they would like placed there, please contact us. Nothing political, and no commercial advertising, of course.

Barnet's Local Plan

EBRA has been considering the implications of Barnet's draft Local Plans for several years. We have submitted many comments and suggestions to the Council's strategic planning team, and worked with FORAB on a Barnet-wide response.

The final draft is now undergoing "Examination in Public" which continues into October / November 2022.

You can read our MP Theresa Villiers' report on her involvement during the first week here.

The Bandstand

We're on a quest to find out more about the Bandstand in its prime.
Barnet Museum kindly sent an article from The Barnet Press written in 1943 about the "holiday-at-home" activities in the park during WW2: