Fury as Labour council approves ‘unsafe' electric bus garage below high-rise flats
Barnet council gave the go-ahead to a planned redevelopment of Edgware town centre, in north-west London, that would see up to 190 electric buses being recharged underneath large residential tower blocks.
Campaigners called the plans 'unsafe' and warned that any underground fires could potentially place thousands of lives at risk.
'Nine of the [planned] tower blocks are structurally linked to the underground electric bus garage,' said Anuta Zack, of the Save Our Edgware campaign group.
Ballymore, a development company, won approval from councillors this week to build more than 3,000 flats on the 20-acre site, which is currently occupied by a shopping centre, Edgware bus station and its adjoining bus garage.
The plans will see Edgware bus garage moved underneath the new development, away from its current location towards the rear of the site, which backs on to a terminus for London Underground's Northern Line.
Ms Zack added: 'Even Parliament has said you can't charge an electric vehicle under their buildings now. The council has approved an unsafe and undeliverable plan – one that ignores fire safety, legal duties and the will of residents.'
A London Fire Brigade consultation response about the proposed development, dated Oct 1 2024 and seen by The Telegraph, said: 'The structural integrity of many of the blocks above the bus garage are intrinsically dependent on the structural integrity of the bus garage below.
'This is particularly relevant in this proposal as the potential for so many EV buses poses risks that are not fully understood by the industry at this point in time.'
The response document adds: 'The proposals include a cycle storage area. It is our opinion that consideration is given to the storage (and potential charging) of electric bikes and electric scooters and the potential fire risk posed by these EPPVs (electric powered personal vehicles) which may be located within these areas.'
A Barnet council spokesman said: 'Stringent planning conditions have been placed on the proposed underground bus garage which those objecting to the scheme were most concerned about.
'Residents should rest assured that it will only become operational when the London Fire Brigade and other building and safety regulators have confirmed they are satisfied the building is safe to be used, including for electric vehicle buses.'
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said that senior firefighters had met Barnet council, Transport for London (TfL) and 'relevant stakeholders' to 'ensure that any fire safety issues have been highlighted'.
'We have also met, and engaged with, local residents to understand their concerns, particularly in relation to the provision of an underground bus garage at this development,' the spokesman added.
'Despite not being a statutory consultee on such planning applications, we would always look to provide a response around the fire strategy in high-rise buildings, particularly where it also involves a potential fire hazard such as electric vehicles.
'Prior to the usage of the proposed garage by buses of any type, whether they be electric-powered or not, we are clear that a fire safety strategy shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the local planning authority, in consultation with London Fire Brigade.
'This is to ensure that the development incorporates the necessary fire safety measures in accordance with the relevant policy of the London Plan.'
'Safety of paramount importance'
A spokesman for the Edgware development, which is a joint venture between TfL's property company and Ballymore, said: 'The safety of residents and visitors is of paramount importance and we remain in ongoing dialogue with the London Fire Brigade.
'This new garage is a vital part of delivering electric buses across London, which is a key priority for TfL and the mayor.
'Electric buses will produce cleaner air for Londoners and as such the garage will be designed to accommodate electric buses.
'The bus garage at Edgware will not be operational until 2030 at the earliest and we remain clear that no electric vehicles will be permitted until TfL, the London Fire Brigade, Barnet council, the Health & Safety Executive and Building Control have approved the design.'
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