Traders: Crossrail 2 will ruin Chelsea’s character

Today’s letter says: “Crossrail 2 will force business rates up by 50 per cent and put many of our futures at risk. It will radically alter Chelsea’s unique character, to the detriment of our community. People live, work and visit here because it is not like anywhere else in London, and we don’t want that to be ruined.”

Rob Coughlin, owner of Flower Yard florists in Sydney Street, said: “It’s all very well for the likes of Harrods. They are a massive business in Knightsbridge, but we are in Chelsea and if this station is built we will go out of business.”

Chris Lenon, chairman of No Crossrail in Chelsea, said: “Our council [Kensington and Chelsea] dismisses our campaign as being supported by just a few rich celebrities. Their view demonstrates disdain for their electorate and business community.

“This letter shows how wrong they are.”

Boris Johnson wants the £30 billion north-south railway, linking the Surrey and Hertfordshire commuter belts via central London, to be competed by the early 2030s.

Kensington and Chelsea has said it will mean 5,000 homes will be within 10 minutes of a train station, journey times will be slashed, and road congestion and pollution will be cut.