• I AM concerned that without further improvement the full potential and utility of Gospel Oak station can not be maximised. It clearly needs to be five-platforms.

As an avid rambler I often crossed the Heath and completely understand the need to keep this space as urban green belt.

However, with some fine-tuning and a little flexibility a solution can be found to enhance the station and the southern tip of the Heath.

The area in front of Parliament Hill Lido could be transformed into a Japanese garden in the Holland Park style. A philanthropist may even fund the project.

One could imagine a simple trade off – reduce the size of the car park, replacing with green space, in return for land at the perimeter of the station.

Meanwhile with temporary disruption to the adjacent perimeter, two large lifts could be installed and a new entrance cantilevered at first-floor platform level.

And the five platforms linked by high-level cross passageways, designed to blend in to the surroundings.

Traffic has become a nemesis of healthy living in the last 150 years and the reduction a scheme like this would produce, provides the justification for its consideration.

PAUL DONNELLY
Address supplied