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North West London Tube & Train Delays

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 03:03:57 +0100

West Hampstead enjoys excellent transport links and has direct access to most of the London 2012 Olympic Games venues. Both the West Hampstead Jubilee Line and Overground Line go to Stratford, so West Hampstead will be a thriving transport hub during the Olympics such as Wembley Stadium in 10 mins, Wembley Arena in 8 mins, Lord's Cricket Ground in 6 mins, The Mall in 16 mins, Wimbledon in 55mins, Hyde Park in 15 mins, and Greenwich in 27 minutes.

Local residents living and working in North West London who need to travel on a daily basis to Docklands, The West End or the City of London will need to plan their journeys carefully and try not to travel as spectators are traveling to major events at the 2012 Olympic Games venues in north, central, east and west London. Queues at tube and train stations will be much longer than usual, so top up or buy your Oyster card in advance.

Jubilee Line

The Jubilee line connects West Hampstead and North West London to the business areas of Canary Wharf, London Bridge and Bond Street. The morning and evening peak periods are expected to be busier than usual as spectators use the line to get to the Olympics Stadium in Stratford, events at ExCel in Docklands, Greenwich Park in South East London, Earls Court in West London or Wembley Arena and Stadium in North West London

The Jubilee line is expected to be busiest between Canary Wharf and Green Park, where short queues for trains are expected. Outside peak times, the line will be busier than usual but it will be easier board trains.

Delays expected: Weekdays 07:00-09:00 and 16:00-19:30, and from 22:00 until last train
Busiest dates: Entire 2012 Olympic Games period, including weekends

Northern Line

The Northern line will see additional demand as spectators use it to change lines on their way to Olympic Games locations in central, east and west London. The morning and evening peak periods are expected to be busy, however the Bank branch will be exceptionally busy. Regular users should avoid changing lines at Bank or London Bridge and instead use the Charing Cross branch, changing at Embankment for Monument (for London Bridge) or Moorgate (for Bank).

Delays expected: Weekdays 07:30-09:00 and 16:00-19:00, and 22:00 until last train
Busiest dates: Entire 2012 Olympic Games period, including weekends

Metropolitan Line

The Metropolitan line is usually busy in the morning peak for regular users from Finchley Road to the city, and from Baker Street to Harrow-on-the-Hill during the evening peak. It is expected to get busier when spectators travel to Wembley Park for football events at Wembley Stadium during the afternoon and evening, and return after these events end.

Delays expected: Areas north of Baker Street
Busiest dates: 29 and 31 July, and 1, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 11 August

Bakerloo Line

The Bakerloo line will be busier than usual on days that events are being held at Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena . It is also likely to be busier during weekday mornings, particularly between Paddington and Baker Street, as people use it to change lines on their way to Olympic Games venues and events in central, east and west London.

Delays expected: Areas north of Baker Street
North of Baker Street: 29 and 31 July, 1, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 11 August

Overground

London Overground serves Olympic venues at Stratford, West Brompton (for Earl's Court) and Wembley Central. Trains which are already busy at peak periods between Clapham Junction and Shepherd's Bush, and between Highbury & Islington and Stratford, will be even busier during the 2012 London Olympic Games. Canada Water will also be very busy as passengers change to the Jubilee line for other Olympic venues in North West London and East London.

Delays expected: Weekdays 08:00-11:00 and 16:00-20:00, and 22:00 until last train
Busiest dates: Entire 2012 Olympic Games period, including weekends

Docklands Light Railway

DLR will be much busier than normal as it serves Canary Wharf and four Olympic venues. It will be busiest between Bank and Greenwich (from Bank in the morning and to Bank in the evening), and all day between Bank/Canning Town and Prince Regent in both directions. Special arrangements will be in place at Bank to manage passenger safety, though these may delay journeys. Customers should use alternative routes, avoiding Bank if possible.

Delays expected: Weekdays 08:00-11:00 and 16:00-20:00, and 22:00 until last train
Busiest dates: Entire 2012 Olympic Games period, including weekends

Race for Life - Hampstead & Regents Park

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 01:37:57 +0100

Race For Life is the largest women-only fundraising event in the UK. Since 1994, women of all ages and fitness levels across the UK have come together at these inspiring events to walk, jog or run to help beat cancer.

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. Their groundbreaking work in finding new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer has saved millions of lives and they fund research into many aspects of cancer through the work of more than 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK.

To date, over six million women have raised over £457 million for Cancer Research UKs life-saving work and runners in North West London will be running to raise even more money this summer with race events planned for Hampstead Heath and Regents Park.

Some Race for Life women take part in celebration of surviving a cancer experience. Others take part in memory of a loved one or to give hope to a cancer-free future. But all share a common goal: to raise money for Cancer Research UK's groundbreaking work and to help save more lives. Cancer Research UK is entirely funded by the public and needs support to continue to make progress and give hope to people affected by cancer.

Cancer Research Race For Life Events in North West London

Be part of the biggest fight against cancer at Race for Life events in North West London this summer and walk, jog or run to help beat cancer. Enter now and raise money for the groundbreaking work that has saved millions of lives.

Hampstead Heath Race For Life is a 5k race on Hampstead Heath starting at East Heath Road, Hampstead,
London, NW3 1BP on Sat 9 June 2012 at 11:00. Follow the link for more information on the Hampstead Heath Race For Life

Regent's Park Race For Life is a 5k race in Regents Park starting at Chester Road, London, NW1 4NR on Sat 14 Jul 2012 at 11:00. Follow the link for more information on the Regent's Park Race For Life

Or follow this link to enter your local Race for Life event in other London locations and in areas throughout the UK

Fix My Street Please!

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:18:58 +0000

Have you ever wanted to report a problem in your area but don't know who to contact? Have you spent ages on the phone trying to speak to someone at your local council? If so, this website is for you.

The charity mysociety.org in conjunction with Young Foundation launched fixmystreet.com in 2007 and provides residents with a quick and easy way of reporting things in their area that are broken, dirty, damaged, dumped, needs fixing, cleaning or clearing.

To use the site, all you just need to enter your postcode or location, and then you can view problems already reported in your area, or report your own by clicking your location on the map provided.

All reported problem will be sent to the relevant council by email. The council can then resolve the problem through their normal procedure. Local residents are also able to discuss the problem with others on the website by providing an update.

Please visit the website for further information, to sign up for alerts or to start reporting your problems.

Popdance classes to be held at Swiss Cottage Community Center

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 14:15:02 +0100

Swiss cottage Community Centre hosts 'Popdance', a great dance class specially designed for adults on Monday's at 11am. The class was created to combine a fun filled dance class where adults of all ages and abilities can learn dance routines to pop music, allowing you to let loose from the stresses of life and have some fun. Popdance classes are held all over the country and are launching in our very own Swiss Cottage on 3rd November.

They offer a pressure free, relaxed and friendly environment where you can hone in on your skills. The routines are all tought over 4 sessions to allow everyone in the class learn at their own pace. They often hold one off events such as 'Baby Loves Disco' - an afternoon for the boogying babies and toddlers to have their fun!

The first 'taster class' is free of charge. There are popdance classes all over the UK waiting to get you boogying to the latest pop tunes! And just in time to get you ready for that all important Christmas party...

Go green Camden increasing number of green roofs by 2012

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 13:31:06 +0100

NW6 is set to be a part of Mayor Boris Johnson's Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. We are joined by other London Borough's including the majority of Westminster and the inner parts of Camden, Southwark and Kensington and Chelsea - all of which have been required to build a new green roof. This does not only support the worlds 'go green' campaign but may also reduce fuel bills by providing effective heat insulation on the roof and possibility minimising sound.

There has already been two of these new roofs installed at the Webheath estate in Hampstead in 2009 and more in line to join Boris's Strategy. The London Borough of Camden has endeavored to substantially increase the existing number by 2012.

South Hampstead's current contribution to this scheme is already in progress on Rowley Lane. Many other similar schemes are already in early stages through out the borough.

Camden's 'Environmental Sustainability Delivery Plan' which commits to protect the environment and develop a more sustainable future for the borough. They promise to strive to help residents and businesses alike do what they can to reduce environmentally harmful actions and contribute to the scheme.

These steps do not only just support the worlds 'go green' campaign and the 'World Green Roof Congress' but may also reduce fuel bills by providing effective heat insulation on the roof and possibility minimising sound. The new roofs can also act as a coolant in the hot weather possibly making air-conditioning bills lower.

Belsize Park opens the doors to its new Post Office!

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:31:30 +0100

After six years of campaigning...A new Post Office has opened in Belsize Park! The champagne was flowing as Locals celebrated the opening.

After the closure of Haverstock Hill, Belsize Village and Englands Lane Post Offices, the accessibility of a nearby Post Office has effected many residents. Locals are being encouraged to show their support as it is only open for a trial period and Camden Council has funded the start up costs for the of around £7,200.

Residents are confident that there is, and will continue to be, a sufficient demand for service and that the Post Office will be a huge success. The late night counter service "Essentials" is open from 7am until 11pm in Budgens Supermarket on Haverstock Hill. Customers will be able to access a range of different services including travel services, government services, bill payments, banking and mailing.

West Hampstead Thameslink Station is being given a make over!

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:41:05 +0100

Preparatory work has started in building a new West Hampstead Thameslink station and revival of the surrounding area, in a project which is part of Camden Councils "Place Shaping Strategy". The strategy involves making significant improvements in order to make West Hampstead a more pleasant and enjoyable place to live, work and visit. The building of a new station and associated improvements are funded jointly by the council and Network Rail as part of its £5.5bn Thameslink program, the aim of which is to massively increase the capacity of passengers on north-south services through London, and to improve the interchanges within the West Hampstead Underground and Overground stations and ease congestion across routes.

Network Rail say that after improvements the station will be a brighter and safer place, more equipped to handle the extra passengers. The station itself will be built with a "living roof" living as it will be planted with flowering sedum plants, making the view from surrounding offices and residential premises attractive and visually appealing.

On Iverson Road the pedestrian crossing will be improved to make it easier for people to cross the street, and the pavements are being widened for safety and extra space for pedestrians. The space along the footpaths will be landscaped into a tree-lined walkway, as well as new cycle racks which will be incorporated making the area more pleasant and in keeping with the new "green" station.

More passengers are expected to travel in the Thameslink as new longer trains are introduced in 2015, changing them from 8 carriages to 12. A new foot bridge will be installed in preperation, allowing easier access to all platforms. The platforms at the Thameslink station are being extended and should complete by the end of 2010, beginning of 2011.

Will retail giant Sainsburys take the place of the closed down mini market on West End Lane?

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 11:27:35 +0100

This is a question which has become significant in the last few weeks, and a lot of people would like to know the answer too. There has recently been an application for a licence made by Sainsbury's to Camden Council, which, if it is successful, will mean that they could open a store at 204 West End Lane, West Hampstead, in the place of closed down store "best-one".

To many who live in West Hampstead, the mini market "Best-One" which was open 24 hours was an iconic feature of quirky West Hampstead. It made up part of the character of West End Lane, as well as the other many independent shops. However although people may enjoy this ideal, the reality is that in recent years many more people have chosen to shop in a chain store, over shopping in a franchise independent store.

Some shop owners down West End Lane report that sales have gone down by as much as 50% since Tesco's opened, and are worried that if a Sainsbury's opens there then they may end up closing due to the competition from both stores. The decision has not yet been made, and we are looking forward to finding out what the store will become.

Willesden Green has their very own homework club!

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 11:08:01 +0100

We all know how important it is for children to learn at least the basic English and Maths skills at a young age, for their development, and to enable them to prosper in these areas in adult life. "Teachus Homework Club" in Willesden, aims to provide essential extra supplement for English and Maths for children who are being educated in Key stage 1, 2 and 3. Homework clubs have been proven to show an improvement to children's grades at school, as they can provide the extra help they may require out of school hours.

The teachers who run the homework club are all from exceptional teaching backgrounds and are all graduates from the top-ten universities across the UK. The teachers aim to focus on educating children at their own ability level, and to give them extra exam practice, ensuring students are tested every 8-10 weeks so that teachers are able to track their progress. The cost per hour for tuition is only £4, and this is paid at the beginning of each lesson. "Teachus Homework Club" takes place every Monday and Thursday throughout the year, in term time only, at The Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, Willesden.

Ballet takes on Queens Park

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:33:02 +0100

From the 15th September to the 8th December 2010 there will be 12x 1 hour Ballet lessons taking place on a Wednesday evening. This is great for adults and who are interested in starting ballet up to intermediate level skills in ballet.

The 6.30-7.30pm session is only for adults who have either no experience or little experience in Ballet and wish to start anew. The 7.30-8.30pm is for adults who have already completed their level 1 and are ready to move on away from the basics of Ballet. Towards the end of the course a short choreographed dance is worked on learning how to dance together as a group.

Stage terminologies are also practiced towards the end of each course. The lessons will take place upstairs, at The Corrib Rest, 76-80 Salusbury Rd, Queens Park, London, NW6 6PA.