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Villiers concern over Edgware town centre development

The Chipping Barnet MP met campaigners from the Save Our Edgware campaign group at the weekend

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers meeting campaigners in Edgware
Theresa Villiers meeting Edgwar-based campaigners last year – (Credit – Office of Theresa Villiers MP)

The MP for Chipping Barnet has hit out at “massive overdevelopment” in Edgware town centre after meeting representatives of a local campaign group.

Theresa Villiers met representatives of the Save Our Edgware group at her constituency surgery at the weekend to discuss their opposition to development plans, including the controversial redevelopment of The Broadwalk Centre.

Edgware town centre is not part of her Chipping Barnet constituency but Villiers says the planned development will have a significant impact on Edgwarebury ward, which will become part of Chipping Barnet at the next election following boundary changes.

Following the meeting, she said: “I am backing the Save Our Edgware campaign against this massive overdevelopment. Building 25 tower blocks in this suburban location would cause huge problems. There is no way that local services and infrastructure would cope with such a big increase in population. Campaigners tell me that the plans would give Edgware town centre a higher population density than Manhattan.”

“I was worried to hear from ‘Save Our Edgware’ that serious safety problems would arise from the proposal by TfL to build an underground facility for electric buses, as part of the development. I will be taking these matters up with TfL and Barnet Council.”

“In deciding the future of Edgware town centre, the importance of the existing bus station must not be under-estimated. It is a major transport hub for many local buses, including the 107 and 384. The redevelopment must not lead to a deterioration on facilities for passengers.”

“It was good to catch-up with the campaign to save Edgware. I am giving them my full support.”

In an opinion piece for Barnet Post last year, the Edgware Town Centre project team defended plans for the area saying: “We know that change can be daunting and we appreciate there is a broad range of views locally about the proposed development. However, we believe that these proposals represent a bold plan that addresses the future needs of Edgware, while sensitively retaining the essence of the area.”


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