Archived on 6/5/2022

Catford Framework

ForestHull

15 Feb '21

A commonplace has been launched inviting comment on plans for the Catford Town Centre Framework which is to be finalised in Spring 2021.

Perhaps more relevant to SE23 are the plans for the Catford stations area, which looks forward to 2022 when usage patterns are expected to be back to pre-pandemic levels:

Catford and Catford Bridge stations are the two main arrival points into Catford. For people arriving for the first time and for residents commuting on a regular basis, the stations form an important part of how they experience Catford. The area around the stations should be comfortable and inviting with space to gather and wait for trains with easy and pleasant connections to the town centre.

COVID-19 has had a major impact on how we use public transport with many people working from home. Improvements for the stations area will be delivered by late 2022 by which time we can expect travel patterns to be similar to before the pandemic. These changes are not just about commuters or train users, these measures will help people move through this key area in the town centre.

The ideas include:

widening the pavement on Catford Road between the steps to the London-bound platform at Catford Bridge and Catford Station.

widening the underpass between the Halfords and Wickes site and the station.

two decks across the river linking spaces between the station and providing a space to relax, meet and greet people.

explore additional entrances at the northern end of the station to make it easier for Catford commuters to get on and off trains.

secured covered cycle parking.

additional planning and environmental improvements to the space.

develop a plan for a new local amenity in the disused ticket office to discuss with the owners.

Space will be accessible across multiple entrances and levels with improvements that will help make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

The artists impression looks very nice, though it’s odd to see a car on the station access road (Adenmore Road) which isn’t currently a through road. Also the widening of the bridge maybe a “future aspiration … to develop a project with TfL to introduce a cantilevered walkway that will provide additional width to the south side of Catford Bridge this would create more space for pedestrians and provide a two-way cycle lane on the south side.”

chamonix

15 Feb '21

A lot of similarities with forest hill station… nothing for us though.

Is the ravensbourn quarter new housing?

ForestHull

16 Feb '21

The Lewisham Local plan summary does say the following about Forest Hill:

I’ve not found anything specific about the enhancement of the station approach, but given the plan marks the area around the station as a ‘growth node’ and earmarks sites on both sides of the tracks for flats it would be a real shame if there wasn’t also a thought to add another railway crossing or access to the station from the South side. A pedestrian & cycle bridge from the Southern car-park into Forest Hill centre could really join the two sides and give a step-free alternative to the ‘long way around’ along side the A205.