Imperial Wharf station secure

In the last week of April Hammersmith & Fulham Council (H+F) agreed a multi-million pound funding package that will enable Imperial Wharf overground station, talked about for nearly twenty years, to be built.

An H+F spokesman said: "It has been a long road to get here but after 15 years there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for Imperial Wharf. Thanks to the collaboration of H+F and Kensington & Chelsea councils our construction partners can get on and start building this important station."

The new station, on the West London Line will be built by Imperial Wharf developers St George Central London Pic. This news should assist local people trapped in one of west London's most notorious transport dead ends. The area scores just two, out of six, on official 'transport accessibility' maps and recent developments like Imperial Wharf, Chelsea Harbour and Lots Road Power Station are adding to the number of commuters experiencing those access difficulties.

A council spokesman continues: "Without Imperial Wharf Overground Station the full development potential of the south of the borough is unlikely to be realised. More car traffic would be created adding to local congestion and pollution and those without cars would struggle to get around easily."

This long awaited station will be built just north of the West London Line railway bridge over the River Thames. The station will allow residents interchange with the District Line at West Brompton and with many rail services from Clapham Junction. Rail experts expect the station to open in 2010.

By Stephen Aselford
14:12, 14 Jul 2008 by Matthew Rees