WITHOUT CASH, FEBRUARY FIRST READING OF CROSSRAIL BILL COULD BE THE LAST

11.03.42am GMT Wed 1st Dec 2004

Commenting on the news in the Transport for London Board Meeting papers set to be discussed later today (Wednesday 1st December 2004), that the Government intends to introduce the Hybrid Bill for Crossrail into Parliament for a first reading on 17th February 2005, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone, said:-

"The first reading of the Hybrid Bill will be a welcome step towards building Crossrail and we have to hope that Ministers will stick with this date. However, without a commitment to stumping up the cash, the Crossrail project could end up being an election stunt rather than a practical pledge.

"Ministers have failed to tell Londoners how the Crossrail scheme is expected to be paid for. Without central Government putting the cash needed on the table to fund the scheme, it is time that the Mayor and the Labour Party came clean and told us whether we will have to face fare hikes or Council Tax increases in order to pay for Crossrail.

"Crossrail has received all party backing from day one so that London will get the East West rail link that it so desperately needs. However, London's commuters and Council Tax payers have a right to know how much it will finally cost them to get the scheme built."

ENDS

Notes to editor

The Crossrail Hybrid Bill was announced in the Queen's Speech in the House of Commons on the 23rd November 2004.

According to the Transport for London Board Meeting papers which are to be discussed at 10.00am on Wednesday 1st December 2004 in the Chamber of City Hall, agenda item 2, paragraph 4.10 states:-

"4.10 The Government intends to introduce the Hybrid bill [for Crossrail] into Parliament. For a first reading on 17th February 2005."