RE-OPENING a "ghost station" which closed exactly 25 years ago could revitalise a run down part of Walthamstow, it has been claimed.
Campaigners argue that a functional Lea Bridge station, which was shut in 1985, would stimulate economic growth in south west Walthamstow and connect the area to Stratford's rapid Olympics-inspired redevelopment, including its future links with the new Crossrail line and Eurostar.
Dozens of trains pass through the disused station every day, on their way to and from Stratford, Tottenham Hale and Stansted Airport, following a revival of part of the line in 2005.
Peter Woodrow, chairman of the Chingford Line Users Association, said: “If it was re-opened it would provide a very easy link for lots of people to get to and from Stratford.
“Anyone who's ever tried to get the bus from Walthamstow to Stratford will tell you it takes a very long time, and when trains are running through the station anyway it would not take a huge amount of effort to provide this change, which would have such an impact.”
British Rail officially closed the station in July 1985 amid claims it was under-used.
But campaigners argue Lea Bridge was deliberately run into the ground in order to save money.
Mr Woodrow said: “By the time of its closure there was only one train every two hours, and they were still using diesel trains at a time when most of London's other lines were electrified.
“Much of the station had also run into a state of disrepair.”
Campaigners are now pinning their hopes on a review by Network Rail of potential spending projects for the years 2014 and 2019, which is due to be decided in 2012.
But one estimate from the organisation puts the cost of re-opening the station and developing it to comply with recent disability accessibility laws at more than £4 million, a figure campaigners dispute as being “excessive”.
Mr Woodrow, whose campaign has gained the backing of Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy and London Assembly member Jennette Arnold, added: “We do know that this may be difficult because of budget pressures, but we are hopeful and we'll never give up.”
The campaigners say they would also ideally like to see the re-opening of the Hall Farm Curve line which used to link Chingford and Stratford via Lea Bridge Station until its closure in 1967, although they accept this may be more unlikely to achieve in the current economic climate.
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