Plans have just been released for a huge waste depot at Friern Barnet, called Pinkham Way. This will take about one-third of the waste of seven London boroughs.

Processed “fuel” from Pinkham Way will be transported by lorry along the North Circular Road, to the Brent Cross incinerator. The same may apply to fuel from Edmonton, with twice as many lorries again.

There will be hazardous nano-particles from the 140-metre Brent Cross chimney. They are not regulated, so no level is too high. Everyone just hopes for the best.

The other recent news is that Brent Council transport experts are now trying to put a spanner in the works of the Brent Cross Cricklewood project.

Barnet’s own estimate is 29,000 extra cars every day. As well as traffic, Brent Council officers think Cricklewood station may have to close. Face-saving spending at ‘old’ Cricklewood station by the developers may be ‘abortive investment’, and stopped.

Brent Council has said it “will object to the proposals until revised modelling and assessments are carried out.” But Barnet has only offered an A5 corridor study, which will not reduce the extra traffic at Brent Cross by even one car.

Brent officers also say that there must be “opportunities at Staples Corner to provide light rail, or other fixed link, to the Brent Cross area.”

Finally, what about the developers? The current Lord Mayor of London is Michael Bear of Finchley, who has been Hammerson’s regeneration director since 2003.

Like Dick Whittington 600 years ago, it’s traditional for mayors to be given a knighthood. But how can Mr Bear keep absolutely silent about Brent Cross Cricklewood? Turn Again, Michael Bear, Lord Mayor of London.

John Cox
Chelsea Close, Willesden