New MPs Group to Promote Cross Rail Link to Borough

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Jul 2003

An All Party Group of MPs has been set up this week to promote the Cross rail project, one aspect of which will be a 'corridor' linking the main Paddington Station to Liverpool street 'spur' with SW London.

The line would go via either a new tunnel or a new viaduct from Paddington to Kew, linking up with Richmond, Twickenham, Strawberry Hill, Hampton Wick and Kingston.

The project has the support of the Strategic Rail Authority and the London Mayor's representative (Bob Kiley), MPs and GLA members (e.g. Baroness Hamwee) and is waiting for broad approval from the Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling. It could cost £15 billion and if it meets the schedule would be completed around 2012/2014.

Vincent Cable said: "This is a massive, visionary, idea which could transform rail services in many parts of London including ours. Since the timescales are so long and the sums are so vast I am not holding my breath but I have joined the new group as a founding member to gain some impetus behind the idea of getting better rail links for our corner of London and a direct link between the suburban rail network and the Underground."