Burnt Oak Station car park closed until winter 2027/28

Barnet Council has closed the car park at Burnt Oak Station, located on Watling Avenue, to facilitate Transport for London (TfL) works. The station upgrade, focused on providing step-free access, is scheduled to continue until winter 2027/28. The closure commenced on Monday, 24 August.

Community Concerns Raised

The Edgware Community Association has expressed concerns regarding the impact of the car park's closure on local businesses and specific user groups. Tony Allan, co-chair of the association, stated that while the investment in step-free access is welcomed, the loss of approximately 200 parking spaces for an extended period represents a significant change for the town centre. The group is seeking clarity on the assessment of the effect on businesses and residents, any mitigation measures being provided, and the potential for partial reopening of the car park as works progress. Mr Allan also highlighted the desire for certainty regarding the car park's eventual return to public use.

A spokesperson for Barnet Council acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of the Watling Avenue car park. The council stated that the closure was necessary due to safety advice, which indicated it would not be safe to mix construction traffic and heavy machinery with general vehicles and pedestrians during the major engineering project. Ward councillors and council officers explored the possibility of keeping parts of the car park open but concluded it was not feasible due to these safety issues.

Regarding the duration of the closure, the council spokesperson indicated that TfL estimates the work will last until winter 2027/28. The precise timing for the car park's reopening remains uncertain, partly due to ongoing development proposals affecting the site. The council has committed to providing further information as it becomes available.

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Mitigation for Drivers

In response to concerns for disabled drivers, Barnet Council is consulting on the provision of two additional Blue Badge parking spaces on Watling Avenue, near Barnfield Road. The council also noted that Blue Badge holders have legal parking entitlements in various on-street bays and residential/shared use bays, as well as limited time on single yellow lines, subject to restrictions.

For users of electric vehicles (EVs) who previously used charging points in the car park, the council stated that suitable alternative charging locations in the immediate vicinity have not been identified. However, Barnet Council has installed over 2,000 EV charge points across the borough. EV users are advised to use the Zapmap application to locate the nearest available charging facilities.

The council also confirmed that Civil Enforcement Officers will patrol surrounding roads to address any increase in illegal parking during the closure period.