Londoners Views Must Be Heard On Crossrail

12.00.00am GMT Tue 21st Oct 2003

Liberal Democrat London Spokesman and London Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes MP, will today (Tuesday 21st October 2003) speak in a debate in the House of Commons on the Crossrail project and will follow this up with a meeting with the Chief Executive of Crossrail Norman Haste to discuss the future of the project.

Mr Hughes will also be discussing with Crossrail a plan to use at least some of the windfall increase from the new line in commercial land and property values to pay for future transport projects.

Simon Hughes said:-

"Crossrail is vital to the future vitality of London and must be completed as soon as is practical. London is one of the few cities in Europe without a coherent transport system that gets passengers from east to west or north to south leaving many people stranded in the capital.

"With congestion increasing on London's underinvested and overstrained train and tube lines, it is critical that the new Crossrail project is completed with a real understanding of London and Londoners needs.

"I will be seeking reassurances from Crossrail that not only is the project on time and on budget, but that the concerns of Londoners will be heard before any final decision is made."