Before GOBlin Electrification – Harringay Green Lanes
To get to the Gospel Oak to Barking Line, I get a 141 bus from outside my house to Harringay Green Lanes station.
It is another tidy station serving a retail park on the site of the old Harringay stadium. Like most of the stations on the line, there are no lifts and the two platforms are served by stairs and ramps.
Other than the inadequate step-free access, note the following about the station.
- The platforms are not unduly long, but there would appear to be foundations from previous ones, that were longer.
- The bridge although obviously sound, probably needs a bit of work to bring it up to the required visual standard.
- The station is an out of station interchange to Harringay station and work could be done to make the walking route easier. I estimate that the distance is about 50% longer than the Hackney Downs/Central Link.
- There is a lot of commercial and retail use in the area, that may be redeveloped.
Note too, that the Piccadilly Line crosses underneath and there is a long distance between the stations either side on that line. No plans exist to create an interchange, but it is a station, where that should never be ruled out.
This is a Google Map showing the area around the two Harringay stations.
The Area Around The Two Harringay Stations
I think that by 2050, Harringay Green Lanes station will be very different.
The Anonymous Widower 
The retail park is probably the least important part of Harringay served by the station. Being located right on Harringay’s high street, the station serves the neighbourhood of Harringay. It’s a key transport hub for those who live here as well as those who travel here for work and leisure. It’s usage has increased by 3,000% over the last decade – (http://www.harringayonline.com/forum/topics/harrinnay-green-lanes-station-usage-soars-by-400).
I’d be interested to what you think the station will be like in 2050.
Comment by Hugh | August 16, 2015 |
Glad you pointed that out, I didn’t like the wording I used, but couldn’t think of anything much better to say. I stand by my last statement though, in that the station could be developed into a better transport interchange, using similar techniques to those at Hackney.
I actually use the station quite a lot, as it is so easy to get to from my house, where the northbound 141 stops virtually outside.
Comment by AnonW | August 16, 2015 |
Thanks. I’m sure you’re right about the station developing over the next 30 years. I was interested in what you wrote and my question was asked in a spirit of genuine enquiry. I was wondering exactly how you think it will change since I have no idea.
Comment by harringayonline | August 16, 2015 |
This is all speculation baded on what has happened elsewhere.
The platforms will certainly be lengthened for four-car trains and the bridge may need replacing as it looks to be not much better than the one at South Tottenham, they replaced last Christmas. Certainly with the catenary to be mounted on the bridge Network Rail will be making sure it’s strong enough. I think that lifts will be added to the station, as they are being at South Tottenham.
Transport for London are very keen on creating interchanges, as this can solve more than one problem at a time, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see an innovative high level walkway linking the two Harringay stations, sticking to the railway land. Take a look at the Hackney Link, which is two straight level sections connected by stairs and a lift. The design mens passengers walk on the level and lose or gain height in one short piece in the middle. It’s a very good and simple design.
The ultimate interchange here would be to link the GOBlin to the Piccadilly Line. I don’t think it’s possible now, but tunnellers are using more and more innovative techniques and perhaps in a few years, it will be a piece of cake. Remember too, that there’s a short section of Victoria Line test tunnel somewhere under Manor House and there has been plans in the past for a sort out!
You could also see the station being extended eastwards to perhaps serve a housing development to the south of the GOBlin. The developers would pay for the station.
But who knows what will happen but if anything does, it will add capacity to the area’s transport system.
I shall keep searching the Internet, as it’s amazing what gets published.
Comment by AnonW | August 16, 2015 |
Thank you – very interesting. I hope you don’t mind, I’ve taken the liberty of reproducing your reply and using one of your photos on a new post at http://www.harringayonline.com/forum/topics/a-piccadilly-line-link-for-harringay-green-lanes-station. All credits given.
Comment by harringayonline | August 16, 2015 |
No problem at all. Transport for London have a similar interchange problem with linking the Central Line to the East London Line at Shoreditch High Street.That can’t be done until Crossrail is opened, as there would be problems with where the passengers could go.
Remember too that although coal mining is dead in the UK, one of the techniques they use called uphill excavation is being used to link Crossrail to the current Whitechapel station.
Comment by AnonW | August 16, 2015 |
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