A longstanding feature of Brixton’s Atlantic Road looks set to disappear.
New cladding behind the platform of the overground station and above the northern side of Atlantic Road is proposed in a planning application by Network Rail.
The existing and unloved blue cladding was installed in 1986, coinciding with the unveiling of the three-statue Platforms Piece sculptures.
Vertical brown-coloured aluminium strips will replace it if the application is successful. Network Rail says they will improve drainage, enhance the station’s appearance and protect the historic fabric beneath them.
Two of the statues on the platform above Atlantic Road would be removed temporarily to allow the new cladding to be installed.
Brixton Station opened in 1862 as “Brixton and South Stockwell” on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway route from Victoria to Herne Hill, later extending to Elephant and Castle, Camberwell, and on to Blackfriars in 1894, and from there connecting to Moorgate via the Snow Hill tunnel under the Thames, now used by Thameslink trains, on lines from Brighton to Bedford.
It has since undergone multiple alterations.
“Set against the backdrop of Brixton’s transformation into a vibrant commercial and suburban hub in the late nineteenth century, the station and its associated viaducts have long contributed to the urban character of the area,” Network Rail says in its application.
The application comes more than 10 years after Network Rail launched its plan to “refurbish” the arches on Atlantic Road.
Warnings that the eviction of existing traders would create a “blight” in the centre of were both ignored and proved correct.
In November 2016 then Lambeth council leader Lib Peck demanded a meeting with the chairman of Network Rail over the failure to start work on the arches, despite the council’s planning sub-committee having approved it on 2 August 2016.
A Network Rail spokesperson said at the time: “We have always been clear that the proposed redevelopment scheme would be completed within 12 months of our having vacant possession of all of the arch units” and blamed the delay on four of its tenants who had launched a legal challenge to their eviction.”
In fact, full refurbishment has yet to take place with the exteriors of some of the arches unfinished and unsightly.
The claim by Network Rail that the arches needed refurbishment for safety reasons was questioned when, after the refurbishment had been completed, emergency work to stop the platform above them collapsing onto Atlantic Road closed the road for several weeks.
The arches now belong to the private Arch Company after Network Rail was ordered to sell them by the Conservative government of the time.
The division of responsibility for the area between Lambeth council, Network Rail – which retains responsibility for the platform above Atlantic Road – and the Arch Company, has been blamed for state of the area.
Once the bustling heart of Brixton’s shopping experience, it is now often the scene of anti-social behaviour and drug dealing and consumption.
The area has also featured in discussions about a total transformation, with Atlantic Road becoming pedestrianised – a move that would complete its transformation from a busy working road to become part of an entertainment and tourism area typified by Brixton Village and the planned giant Freight venue above Popes Road.
Atlantic Road will also close for seven Saturdays between June and December for “Big Shift” car-free days.
The days are part of Lambeth council’s drive to encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport.
Atlantic Road will be closed to vehicles between Brixton Road and Coldharbour Lane, and Coldharbour Lane and Kellet Road (the latter section is already partly in a low traffic neighbourhood) on Saturdays 14 June; 12 July; 9 August; 13 September; 11 October; 8 November; and 13 December between 10am and 10pm.
Other aspects of the Big Shift scheme include community parklets, making e-cargo bikes available for hire and creating bike markets to make cycles affordable.
See the application on Lambeth Council’s planning website
Comments on the application must be submitted before Friday 6 June.
This looks really pretty grim. I like the way even the ever optimistic CGI portrays the covered walkway as an ASB playground. The rusty cladding look also makes the walkway even more foreboding. If Lambeth really want to encourage active travel they could start by stricter enforcement of parking restrictions on Atlantic road – cars illegally parked pen pedestrians on to narrow pavements. Roll on full pedestrianisation – preferably at least after 5pm.