"YET ANOTHER CROSSRAIL ANNOUNCEMENT - SHOW US THE MONEY" - POPE

9.10.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 5th Oct 2007

Commenting on the announcement by the Prime Minister this morning that Crossrail is to get the go-ahead, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesman on the London Assembly, Geoff Pope, said:

"Nobody is questioning the crucial role Crossrail will play in the development of London's transport infrastructure.

'But today's announcement is exactly that: yet another announcement. The much needed £16bn project is by no means home and dry. Over twenty years of dithering have put the project back and one big question remains unanswered: where's the money?

'The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, when we see ring-fenced Crossrail cash in the Comprehensive Spending Review. Only then will it be time to celebrate." ENDS