Hornsey Depot

In c.1973 an electric multiple unit maintenance depot[note 1] was constructed as part of the electrification of the Great Northern rail route.

[10][map 3] The shed provided locos for shunting in the yard and nearby Ferme Park sidings, as well as goods workings across London to the south via Snow Hill tunnel.

[citation needed] In 1973 the shed was converted for use as an Overhead Line (OHL) maintenance depot, as part of the works for the Great Northern electrification.

[16] In the 1970s the site was extensively rebuilt; part of the Ferme Park sidings south of the shed was cleared, and a new Electric multiple unit depot constructed;[17][map 4] the work was done as part of the Great Northern electrification; a new maintenance shed was constructed with six roads, each capable of holding an eight-car train.

In 2008, the Department for Transport commissioned a study into the location of depots for the future Thameslink rolling stock: Network Rail preferred two depots based on an expectation that at times the central area of the Thameslink route would be closed for maintenance outside commercial operational hours, with no workable alternative electrified routes available.

[23] The development was split across sites east of the main railway line: the main maintenance building was north of Hornsey railway station and the A504 road (High Street/Turnpike Lane); storage sidings were located south-east of Hornsey station, adjacent to the pre-existing depot.

[25][26][27] The proposed development required bridge widening of the crossing at Turnpike lane, and additional embankment work and extensions.

[30] In 2009, John Denham, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government blocked the development of the depot – the development had been subject to local and council objections on grounds including negative impact to a conservation area, as well as a potential negative impact to Haringey Council's "Haringey Heartlands" redevelopment project.

[31][32] A revised two-depot plan was produced: the southern (Three Bridges) depot was expanded to a five-road shed, while estimates for total maintenance roads required had been reduced from nine to eight.

[34] Rail union RMT criticised the loss of employment opportunities due to the reduced scale of the plans,[35][36] stating "Without anyone trying, Haringey has lost 150 jobs";[37] the revised scheme continued to produce significant opposition from local residents, with concerns including noise and light pollution during night working, as well as visual impact and traffic.