'Ski jump' path to be fixed after year-long row

An "unacceptable" slant on a pavement in north-west London that has been likened to a ski jump is to be fixed after a year-long row over who is responsible.

Since one and two-bedroom apartments were built as part of the West Hampstead Central project, the ramp-like walkway on West End Lane has caused concern for those less stable on their feet.

Camden Council blamed the two developers, Astir Living and A2 Dominion, but the two firms denied responsibility and instead blamed the uneven pavement on council's "continued inaction".

The council confirmed works began on Monday to level the "steep and hazardous" slope.

Labour councillor Sharon Hardwick, who represents West Hampstead, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) her inbox had been full of emails from residents worried about the slant.

"If you're unsteady on your feet or have got a pushchair you really have to navigate it," she said.

She said the firms behind the development had "spectacularly failed" to follow their own plans.

But the two firms have denied responsibility, and instead blamed the uneven pavement on Camden Council's "continued inaction".

Hardwick said: "There is now a light at the end of this particular tunnel".

The West Hampstead Central development, estimated to cost £120m, began in 2017 and was finished last year.

In October 2024, hoardings in front of the buildings at 156 West End Lane were removed – revealing the slanted pavement.

Ian Ferrie, a local resident, told the BBC in November: "They've made a ski jump. That is very, very dangerous for older people."

As the highway authority, Camden Council is responsible for the footpath and needed to give consent to the developer partners A2Dominion and Astir Living behind the project to make any changes.

According to the council, the firms carried out works without permission before it could repave the footway, "resulting in an unacceptable slope for which they should take accountability".

A council spokesperson said: "This should never have happened, but we are stepping in to fix this."

However, both the developers said the blame lay squarely with the local authority.

Chris Ives, managing director of development and regeneration at A2Dominion, said: "As our development approached completion, scheduled pavement works had not yet been completed by the council.

"With agreement from the council our development partners Astir temporarily reinstated the pavement so that the council could finalise their permanent plans for the pathway."

He added that while the "matter does not fall under our direct responsibility", the firm had continued to engage with the council to help find a "timely and effective solution".

A spokesperson for Astir Living said the company paid the council roughly £67,000 in February 2020 towards highway works as part of the project's Section 106 planning agreement.

"This prolonged inaction is unacceptable and cannot be attributed to the developer or the planning process," they said.

The spokesperson said the development was delivered "fully in accordance with the approved planning consent", adding that the council had "remained silent" amid the firm's "repeated" attempts to engage with them over the issue.

Camden Council said under the Section 106 legal agreement it expected the developer to reimburse the costs of fixing the pavement.

BT Openreach is expected to spend a week lowering an underground telecoms chamber before the local authority's teams begin to level and resurface the pavement.

All works are expected to conclude by mid-February. This is likely to cause some delays due to traffic controls.

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