LACK OF CROSSRAIL CASH IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

1.13.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Jul 2004

Lynne has voiced concern over the failure of Ministers to stump up cash for Crossrail

Commenting on the announcement in the Government 10-year Transport Plan to put forward a hybrid Bill for Crossrail but avoid funding questions, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesman, Lynne Featherstone, said:-

"The planned introduction of a hybrid Bill is a welcome hesitant step towards building Crossrail. But without a commitment to stumping up the cash, the Crossrail project could end up being shunted back into the sidings alongside other London transport plans.

"The Montague Report into the feasibility of Crossrail is five months late. The cash is not on the table, the timetable for the hybrid Bill is still unclear and the completion date will now be well after any London Olympics.

"London's commuters know only too well that there is a huge difference between at rail announcement and the service arriving on time."

ENDS

Notes to editor

In the Transport 10-year plan announced in the House of Commons Transport Secretary Alistair Darling told the Commons the case for the Crossrail scheme in London was strong but the estimated £10 billion cost meant it was a huge challenge. A hybrid Bill will be introduced so the project can go ahead while the Government will work with the Mayor and London business community to sort out the funding