Space Station Sixty-Five is amazing.The creativity that bubbles out of their gallery doors isn't something that should be allowed to be threatened due to TFL proposals that haven't even been discussed with Rachael and Jo. I adore the space and the people there, and without such supportive, nurturing and inclusive art spaces I sure as hell wouldn't have been able to do some of the stuff I've been up to recently. If you can lend a voice to the planned public drop-in to air views on the developments then please do. All the info is below:
Dear Friends,
We are very much hoping to have your support to safeguard the work Space Station Sixty-Five is doing in our year-old premises in Kennington.
We would like to let you know about a plan proposed by a local group and suggested to TFL to re-site the ventilation shaft for part of the Northern Line extension at 373 Kennington Road, the site of our two galleries, owned by our parent company, Space Modules Ltd. This would mean that the programme of exhibitions at Space Station Sixty-Five would be curtailed and our plans would stop to develop the organisation. This proposal was not discussed with anyone at Space Station Sixty-Five and came as a most unpleasant shock to us.
There is a public Drop-in at Durning Library in Kennington, which TFL have urged anyone who might be interested to attend in order to make their views known to senior TFL staff. If you are able to go to this drop-in and tell TFL why SS65 is important to you and the locality as a rapidly developing cultural site, that would be much appreciated. Contributors to the drop-in do not need to live locally, people travel from far and wide to attend SS65 events and exhibitions.
There will be a public enquiry later this year or early next year for the extension and any feedback to TFL from anyone who is concerned about this plan would be very helpful to that process.
Space Station Sixty-Five thanks you for any assistance you can give us. If you are not able to attend the event and speak to TFL directly, you can email nle@tfl.gov.uk with your views. Please mark the subject "Attn Brigid Burnham".
Thank you for your support, please circulate to those who might be interested.
Rachael House and Jo David
Directors of Space Station Sixty-Five and directors and owners of Space Modules Limited
---TFL Statement from Brigid Burnham, Consultation and engagement, NLE:
"Drop in event to consider proposals for a permanent shaft and head house at Kennington Green and an alternative location at 373 Kennington Road
Northern Line Extension (NLE)
Date: Thursday 25 July
Place: Durning Library
167 Kennington Lane
SE11 4HF
Time: 3.30 - 8.00pm
TFL recently submitted an application to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to build and operate an extension of the Northern line to Nine Elms and Battersea. Our submission marked the beginning of a statutory consultation period which closed on 18 June 2013. Our submission includes proposals for a permanent shaft at Kennington Green to allow air in and out of the proposed new northbound underground tunnel, to help cool the tube and extract smoke in the unlikely event of an emergency. The shaft itself will be located underground in the green, but an above ground structure is required (known as a head house) to house maintenance equipment and vents for the shaft. This would be located at the corner of Montford Place and Kennington Road within the Beefeater Distillery site. Full details of the proposals are available to view at tfl.gov.uk/nle.
Some responses to the consultation put forward an alternative location for the shaft and head house at 373 Kennington Road. This site is currently occupied by an artist run space called Space Station 65, comprising offices and studios for creative industries and borders with properties on Aulton Place and 377 Kennington Road.
This event will address in detail some of the key issues raised specific to the Kennington Green site, consider the alternative proposals put forward for 373 Kennington Road and provide a platform for further dialogue and discussion. Senior representatives from the NLE project team will be in attendance on the day.
I do hope you will be able to attend.
Yours sincerely
Brigid Burnham
Consultation and Engagement
nle@tfl.gov.uk
Visit tfl.gov.uk/nle for further information about the NLE proposals."
