A new £9.5m public funded entrance to Stratford Station will NOT be available on West Ham match days it has been claimed.
The new Gibbons Road/Carpenters Estate entrance and exit was developed in collaboration with Transport for London (TfL) and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). It was funded from Newham Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy, £1 million, and £3.8 million by the LLDC.
There is currently at least one person managing the exit. It is open during normal station times.
Unfortunately, on event days (including when West Ham United are playing at home) and when there is a high volume of traffic (up to 65,000 people) the exit is closed. This is due to Newham Council and local police being unwilling to fund the extra staffing needed outside the station. Health and safety reasons prevent staff from working away from TFL premises.
A Hammers United spokesmand told Claret and Hugh “The Independent Supporters Committe (ISC) and now the FAB (Fans Advisory Board) of which Hammers United are members, have consistently over a period of at least three years asked for representation on the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) and have always had their requests refused. There has been absolutely no consultation with the twelve fan groups who make up the FAB. It has been noted that representatives from Sadlers Wells and Abba Voyage are represented on the SAG, but not West Ham football fans. Clearly this is both wrong and unacceptable to the 60,000 plus West Ham fans who have to contend with getting to and from the London Stadium on match days.”
On Wednesday, the new Carpenters Estate entrance to Stratford Station was officially opened.
LLDC principals joined Stratford & Bow MP Uma Kumaran, Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz, London Assembly member Unmesh Desai & representatives from Newham Council, TFL, Network Rail & others to mark completion of works.
