1. On 30 April Tom wrote:

The idea of a Crossrail station in this area is a critical step in the economic development of the area however, as a PR consultant I can see that the naming of the station and the supporting campaign is critical. As a consequence, I am confident that the campaign for a Portobello Crossrail station will quickly gain momentum and acceptance.

2. On 30 April Mrs Perry wrote:

I am all for the new Crossrail station. I thought North Kensington would be the obvious choice for its name. North Ken is a huge, but not well-landmarked, part of the Royal Borough and deserves some type of landmark to properly acknowledge it - indeed only locals seem to be aware of its existence. I do like the suggestion of Portobello but I feel it's a little optimistic, given that the northern end of Portobello Road is approx 500m from Canal Way. In any case, the walking route from the station to Portobello Road will have to be made more appealing and safer (particularly for pedestrians crossing Ladbroke Grove) as well as areas that suffer from poor lighting, access and sight lines around the estates on the way. The new station will relieve Notting Hill Gate of the crippling floods of tourists who currently access Portobello Road only from its southern end.

3. On 30 April Oliver wrote:

As a resident of Notting Hill Gate (and therefore witness to the hoardes of visitors to the Portobello Road at weekends) I would be delighted to see a Crossrail Station known as Portobello. However, I suspect that it would quickly be required to be renamed as thousands of tourists complained about its distance from the market: a case of distinctly misleading advertising perhaps?!  A far better name in my opinion would be North Kensington.

4. On 1 May Cathilda wrote:

I think 'Portobello North' is a good name for the proposed Crossrail station.

5. On 1 May Russell wrote:

Totally agree with the new name, love Kensal as I do, Portobello is almost universally recognised.

6. On 1 May P. Knight wrote:

PORTOBELLO AS A NAME SOUNDS GREAT TO ME.

7. On 1 May Magnus wrote:

Im a big supporter and I whole heartedly support the project! However I think that north Kensington is a much more appropriate name.

 8. On 1 May Michael wrote:

I am in full support of the new station and think it would be fantastic addition to the area. As a local business man, I know clients can struggle with transport to the north of the Borough. Please fight all you can!

9. On 1 May Maggie wrote:

I think Portobello Crossrail Station is a great name and reflects the well known area it is close to. I live very near where the station will be and the walk to portobello is not that far or inconvenient. The potential additional income to the area from tourists using the station could bring in much needed development finance. It makes good economic sense and would benefit the local people in this currently deprived section of north kensington.

10. On 1 May Gareth wrote:

I agree Portobello has more cache with the public at large - so is a very good idea. The most important thing is to win the arguement that there SHOULD be station (regardless of the name)and public support is important to that. So a more memorable and evocative name like Portobello must help. Good thinking!

11. On 1 May Clive wrote:

Great idea to name it Portobello. Well known global name.

12. On 1 May Nuggy wrote:

I think the use of the term Portobello is a great idea, it has international recognition and will help reinforce the idea of an expanded inclusive Portobello neighbourhood.

13. On 1 May June wrote:

'Portabello Crossrail station' is a very bad idea in my opinion.  It would be totally misleading for anyone trying to get to Portabello market (for which Ladbroke Grove station would be much closer).  By contrast 'North Kensington' makes a lot of sense - it's how the area is already known and referred to by its residents.

14. On 1 May Heinrich wrote:

Portobello is a great name for the station! Good luck!

15. On 1 May Duncan wrote:

I completely support the campaign for a Crossrail station on the Sainsbury's/ Gasworks site (provided there's reasonable car park, drop off facility AND MUCH better access of course). But a name?? Ooooh c'mon. You lot lack imagination.

Here's a list to choose from: Portobello Farm, Portobello Hill, Portobello Rise, Portobello Fields, Portobello Mead, Portobello Mount, Portobello Basin, Portobello Halt, Far West Hamsted, Far North Kensington, Queen's Park West, Grand Union Park, Sainsbury Junction, Notting Hill North, Top of the Hill, Cemetary Place, Kensal Park, Kensal Gasworks, The Gassery, Queen's Park South and yes, even...Portobello North, and that's just a couple of minutes thought. Please think harder ...and longer.

16. On 1 May Paul wrote:

I think that Portobello is a great choice of name. We already have Kensal Rise and Kensal Green and whilst North Kensington might be an alternative, it is likely to cause problems for visitors who will be confused by South,West and High Street Kensington. Portobello puts it "on the map". Good luck!

I've logged back on to say that I think Cathilda's suggestion of Portbello North could be an ideal compromise. It retains the cachet and international recognition of Portbello, while being a little more honest about the fact the location is not Portbello proper. Well done Cathilda! I would like to know what our leader thinks of these alternative suggestions.

18. On 1 May Will wrote:

A station in Portobello would open up the benefits of Crossrail to many residents in West London - it's a great idea.

19. On 1 May Paul wrote:

True, Portobello is a well-recognised name but the internationally known antiques bit of Portobello Market is down at the Notting Hill end of the road. From Portobello Crossrail that will be a fair hike (20+ minutes). So, if you go with the 'Portobello' name, start planning some serious enhancement of the northern end of the road to make that more attractive to visitors.

20. On 1 May JM wrote:

Portobello already has a brand identity i.e it is the market and thick crowds of tourists. it would as others state set a wrong impression of how close is actually is. A bit like getting a flight advertised as Barcelona to find out your actually nowhere near the city and the money you saved will be eaten up by extra taxi fares. North Kensington would I think have a greater impact. There is always the option to think of something a little more creative I suppose. Anyway whichever way it goes as long as we get the station who really cares?

21. On 1 May Mrs Witham wrote:

Totally agree!  Great step to improve the area/ surrounding areas.

22. On 1 May Adrian wrote:

Sounds like a good piece of LATERAL THINKING TO ME, AND PRESUMABLY THE NORTH END OF THE EPONYMOUS AND FAMOUS ROAD isn't that far away.Best of luck.

23. On 1 May Pippa wrote:

I think calling it Portobello will be very confusing, rather like Ryanair claiming to fly to a European city and it being an hour away... Ladbroke Grove is closer and a fairly familiar name but I like the suggestions of North Kensington which would help to boost a much bigger area than Portbello alone.

24. On 2 May Matt wrote:

I think the name Portobello would be perfect for the station. As mentioned above it is a world-famous brand... and would filter many tourists to the less well-known but arguably more intriguing northern end of Portobello. The short walk from the site to the Northern end of Portobello Rd will also be smartened up soon with the regeneration of the Wornington Estate so I think coupled with the name of the station, could be a real boost to the area. Good choice.

25. On 2 May Emma wrote:

I think using the name Portobello will be confusing - particularly for tourists. If you stick with Kensal get a good branding company in and make it cool. You should be proud of the area and name, not tagging on to somewhere else.

26. On 2 May Eliz wrote:

I think a great name for the Crossrail Station near Sainsbury's would be GRAND UNION STATION - sounds grand, does not steel the big sell of Portobello Road and it is next to the Grand Union Canal.

Let me know what you think.

27. On 2 May Sarah wrote:

I agree, Portobello works well

28. On 2 May Isobel wrote:

Sounds great, i think portobello is a brilliant name. It gets my vote.

29. On 2 May Barry wrote:

I feel North Kensington Crossrail Station is the best name as it is geographically accurate and puts the area on the map.

30. On 2 May Lesley wrote:

Good idea but it will be misleading as it will be 15-20 minutes to Portobello Rd. Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill Gate are much nearer to Portobello Road. It reminds me of property developers who have called a place in Camden 'Canal Boulevard' when it is miles from the canal.

31. On 2 May Jo wrote:

We have lived in this area for many years and regard your suggestion as very positive in view of the fact that other parts of London are being being made more attractive and accessible.A Crossrail Portobello station would certainly encourage visitors to explore both Golborne and Portobello.  Good luck.

32. On 2 May Costas wrote:

I fully agree that Portobello would be the best name for the stationboth for the reason given by the Leader but also because it would encourage people who at present use Notting Hill (insufferable overcrouded on Saturdays) to use the new station to visit Portobello Road and thus spread the load to the benefit ot the visitors as well as traders in Golbone and Portobello.

33. On 2 May Mr B. wrote:

North Ken or Portobello sounds super! Good luck!

34. On 4 May Roger wrote:

I would like to suggest the station name as: North Kensington

35. On 5 May Tomassina wrote:

I have previously written to express my support for the Kensal Crossrail and am now writing to show support for the station to be named PORTOBELLO CROSSRAIL. I love the name and the idea of improved transport and increased business opportunities in the area.

36. On 10 May John wrote:

I don't think we need any more confidence tricks in this land in where we live. Tell the people where it is, 'North Kensington'. It would be barely acceptable to call it Portobello North as all the unsuspecting tourists will find out. Wouldn't it be better to use this as an opportunity to rebrand North Kensington than to spoil peoples' experience of something that is already well known. By all means guide people to that station to take the heat off Notting Hill but advise people it is a walk. After all, some people do like to walk, especially tourists. It is up tp the council to make that walk a pleasant experience for the visitors and for the people of the area, a business opportunity. London is diverse and changing, that has always been it's nature and it's strength, it is unnecessary to steal the name from one precious area to 'sell' another. Your going to have to square this one with the Minister responsible for Tourism, especially since Notting Hill is so close AND so familiar with literally millions of previous visitors. I have a name, how about, 'Portobello Farm In The Middle of a Field Just a Short Mile from the Antiques Market,.... Station.'

37. On 10 May Hassan wrote:

Portabello sounds perfect and much more appealing as it is known worldwide

38. On 10 May Cllr Palmer wrote:

North Kensington would be a good name for the station because when you say you live in North Kensington people have no idea where that is, and a named station would be a good referance point that covers a wide area and people living nearby. Any other name (Kensal, Portobello, will not do that)

39. On 19 May Andre wrote:

I think North Kensington would be the best choice of name personally. I think it would be great to finally recognise & promote the area for what it's actually called, & the Portobello branding would be a misnomer.

40. On 31 May Tanya wrote:

I think the Crossrail Station in N. Kensington makes so much sense. Please let me know if there is any other way I can add my support to such a good use of our tax. Please keep pushing for this!!

41. On 4 June Farri wrote:

The name North Kensington will follow very nicely the South Kensington and Kensington High Street stations. It might also change the not very good reputation of the area by putting it on the map.

42. On  6 June Anna wrote:

I think Portobello Road is absolutely the wrong and misleading name for the new station. It should either be North Kensington (time to put us on the map?) or Ladbroke Grove (accurate)and re-name the existing Ladbroke Grove station Portobello Road, which is what most tourists are looking for. Also time to brush up the tube station locale which is shamefully shabby for such a prestigious destination.