NATIONAL GRID EXPANSION

The committee is in constant contact with National Grid regarding their expansion plans and the effect they might have on the estate.

Before expanding the Grid capacity of the substation National Grid has to do major work on the main Riverside Road. It is still planned to renovate the road to a very high standard, but work has been postponend to 2010. Promises have been made to deal with the potholes in the meantime.

To help with Easements relating to the tunnel project (see below), National Grid is now prepared to make a substantial financial contribution to our plans of expanding CCTV all through the estate, as it will increase security for us all while the substation is under construction.

The proposed tunnel, which should have originally run under the river Wandle, is now planned to run straight through our estate at a depth of 29m. Click on map below to enlarge:

National Grid has supplied us with a brochure explaining in detail the proposed plans of the tunnel. CLICK HERE to view the brochure in .pdf format.

Some unit holders are directly affected and will have to negotiate with the National Grid rights of easement. They are aiming at a collective solution, which will also take into account that the estate as a whole will be affected by the expansion, i.e. lorry movements, road usage, search for a new access road, pedestrian safety, noise and ground pollution etc. Please send in your comments and observations and we will voice them in meetings and communications with the National Grid.

You will be pleased to hear that one reason for the change of tunnel routing has been a change of plan regarding the Cappagh site. Because the Environment Agency requested provisions for flooding near the river Wandle, the land swap with Cappagh was no longer desirable for the National Grid, i.e. Cappagh will stay where they are and National Grid will expand on their own site next to Cappagh and Lyndon Yard. The committee feels that this will help with pollution and traffic generated by Cappagh's activities. In the last few months we have all noticed a visible improvement of traffic management to and from the Cappagh site.

This was what we knew and wrote last April:

National Grid have formed a partnership with its main contractors calling it the Electricity Alliance. The exhibition was the first step to informing the neighbours what the expansion will mean to us all.

For further information please ring 08003777348 or email info@communityrelations.co.uk

Every question and comment is welcome and might make a difference to further developements!

So far the following questions have come up, please email barbara@garrattbusinesspark.com if any of your concerns are not covered.

Main Riverside Road (stretching from Pub to Cappagh site)

Will the road be wide enough to allow lorry traffic in both directions?
Would the Electricity Alliance be prepared to look again at the narrow stretches of the road to find a way to widen them?
Will there be provisions for pedestrians and would the Electricity Alliance consider purchasing forecourt areas etc to allow for a pedestrian strip at least on one side as Health and Safety provision.
Will there be further investigations regarding the entrance/exit points onto Garratt Lane and Summerstown Road. There might be a need for traffic lights.
A one way system has been suggested for a short stretch of the road. This will divert more traffic onto the remaining exit route via St Martin's Lane. Will this be reconsidered?
National Grid are keen to bring the road up to "adoptable" standard. What does that mean and what has been negotiated with Wandsworth Council.
If the road cannot be adopted by Wandsworth Council for legal reasons, what are the plans to manage the road in future?
Considering that the road is essential for at least all the units branching off the main Riverside Road, how will access be guaranteed at all times, i.e. will the work be done during the night or at weekends?

Cappagh Site

The Electricity Alliance is planning to use the current Cappagh site for the grid expansion. Cappagh will move their operations "next door", onto the open space currently owned by the National Grid, next to Lyndon Yard. This area will be developed as a purpose built, enclosed space fit for modern concrete crushing operations.

Will the Electricity Alliance consider a separate entrance road for Cappagh along the Greyhound Stadium which could be jointly used by the Greyhound Stadium development project, National Grid and Cappagh?
Could we get clarification that the new site the Electricity Alliance is developing for Cappagh will only be used for the current operations, i.e. Concrete Crushing, and not for Waste Management?
Will they confirm that lorries can turn around in the yard rather than reversing out off the yard, i.e. will there be sufficient space for turning?
What provision has been made to prevent lorries queuing outside the yard, on Riverside Road, at key times of the day, as happens at present?
Are they providing sufficient parking spaces for their own employees/lorry drivers, as this is causing problems at the moment for the rest of the estate?

Date: Sat 30th May 09