This project dates back to a S106 planning obligation entered into by the College and LB Hammersmith & Fulham in 2013. Construction of a pedestrian/cycle underpass beneath the West London Line (Mildmay Line) has long been part of the Transport strategies of both RBKC and LBHF.

Negotiations between all the parties involved have been ongoing for over a decade. Finally the stage has been reached of planning applications from the College being considered and decided by both Boroughs. If planning consent is granted, there are some legal agreements yet to be entered into before construction work on the underpass can start,

During the period since the project was first conceived, ‘cycling’ in London has changed significantly. TfL continue to install cycleways and Latimer Road forms part of C27 (originally a ‘Quietway’). The biggest change has been the arrival across London of dockless e-bikes, travelling at speeds up to 15mph (in theory). Private e-bikes and e-scooters, and commercial delivery bikes, scooters, and cargo bikes have added to the risks experienced by pedestrians. London now has a real problem of cyclists ignoring th Highway Code, riding on pavements, and ignoring signs and traffic lights.

The StQW Forum has long supported the Imperial underpass project, as significantly improving levels of access to public transport in the neighbourhood – primarily through reduced walking distances for many residents to the Central Line at White City. But we have reservations about the detailed design of the entrance/exit to the underpass at 3120 Latimer Road and the impact on Oxford Gardens.

Our representation on the planning application can be read and downloaded below. We think that the Latimer Road entrance/exit will need staggered steel barriers to reduce speeds of e-bikes and delivery scooters. Steel bollards at 1.5m spacing we do not see as being sufficient to ensure the cyclists will slow down in an underpass that will no have steps or ramps at either end.

Imperial College are confident that they can manage and control cyclist behaviours at the entrance/exits at their ‘northern campus’ through their CCTV system and deployment of security staff.