Crowlands Action Group
23rd January 2004
Romford Goods Yard and Gas Works was first mentioned as a possible site for the Crossrail maintenance depot in the Romford Recorder. It was stated however, that Maylands fields in Harold Wood, was still the preferred site.
25th February 2004
Crossrail, by their own admission, were forced to issue a press release when reports began to surface in the media, that Romford had been chosen as the site for their maintenance depot and that the Maylands field site would not be pursued. LBC radio news was among the first to broadcast the news on this day.
27th February 2004
Report in the Romford Recorder confirming that Crossrail Depot would be coming to Romford.
12th May 2004
Central Area Committee meeting held at Crowlands Primary School.
These meetings are open to the public but are not widely publicised. Two local housewives confirmed the rumour that the meeting was to take place and that a Crossrail representative would be in attendance. By their own initiative and using their own resources, they leafleted as much of the area as possible in the time available to them, hoping that word would spread. It did, and approximately 300 concerned residents attended to air their views.
Towards the end of June two residents in the Westland’s area teamed up, and Clive put out a leaflet asking for volunteers. A working party was formed in readiness, should Crossrail be given the go-ahead.
15th July 2004
Alistair Darling made a statement in the House of Commons giving the Crossrail project the green light.
Within days the volunteers joined together and decided their first strategy meeting should be held as soon as possible
28th July 2004
The first strategy meeting was held in St Andrews Church and was attended by Andrew Rosindell, M.P. for Romford, and Margaret Mullane, Labour spokesperson for Romford. Our aim was to give both parties the opportunity to let us know their views on the proposed plans and to help us. Both parties support our campaign and both agree that this is a non- political issue. Also in attendance to lend his expertise was the Honorary Secretary of the Ramblers Association.
During this meeting of resident volunteers and working party, it became apparent that some roads that back on to the Westlands Sports field were not in our borough, but the people there will be just as affected us. We therefore came to a decision to work with the residents in that area where possible. To that end the Crossrail Action Group (C.A.G.) was formed.
Click here to view the minutes of the meeting.
What have we done so far?
We have taken part, along with other residents and Andrew Rosindell, M.P. for Romford, in a photo shoot and interviews for various local newspapers including the Romford Recorder.
Two members of the C.A.G. team were later interviewed on Romford’s Time FM radio station.
In the last two weeks, volunteers have been leafleting the area to inform people how the development will affect them. They have spent their time knocking on doors asking people to sign the petition that will be handed in to No 10 Downing Street and The House of Commons, in mid September. On Saturday 21st August a group of C.A.G. volunteers spent the day in Romford market explaining our concerns, showing the most recent plans of the depot development and getting more signatures.
The Honorary Secretary of the Ramblers Association has been investigating any possible restrictions there might be on the use of the Westlands sports field and the area known locally as the Westlands Rough.
Volunteers with special interests have been finding out the nature of the wildlife living on the Westlands sports field and Rough and how the development might affect them. We are also in the process of finding out the view of West Ham FC, as all or part of their training ground may be lost.
Other volunteers have been looking into the ‘mechanics’ of the project. Train sizes, noise, vibration, light etc.
Time has also been spent building this website in order to keep local residents and those further afield, updated with developments.
Michael White, leader of Havering Council has agreed to a closed meeting with the working party and Andrew Rosindell, M.P. for Romford, to clarify the council’s view on the proposed depot and tunnel in Romford. The date for this meeting is still to be agreed.
Last updated 30/08/04. For further updates see the News section of this site.
Please sign the Petition Online and pass the site on to friends and relatives.
Please write individual letters of protest to Bernard Gambrill, Head of Public Affairs for Crossrail, and Alistair Darling, Minister for Transport. A Printable Proforma is included for your use if you prefer.
Please print our Poster and display it in your window. Public awareness is vital and posters help!
Please Contact Us, the C.A.G. team, with any fresh campaigning ideas or offers of assistance. (Any offers of free professional help would be much appreciated).
Register your interest and be kept updated by the C.A.G team, via e-mail by clicking here.
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