Cable Launches Parliamentary Debate on Cross Rail

5.00.12pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 20th Oct 2003

On Tuesday MP Vincent Cable is to introduce a major debate in parliament on the Cross Rail project which some have welcomed because it will extend fast services across London to residents on the route from Richmond to Twickenham to Kingston; but is criticised by others because it will displace some District Line services from Richmond and Kew.

Vincent Cable said that: "we should see this primarily as an opportunity rather than a threat. I have long wanted to see Twickenham, Strawberry Hill, Teddington and Hampton Wick linked directly to the underground via the District or North London line and Cross Rail offers a much better, faster option - with six to eight trains an hour - leading directly to Paddington and then across to the City".

"There is some justifiable scepticism as to whether this vastly expensive project will materialise given the big sums required simply to keep the existing network operating effectively and safely. But this project gives us an opening to press for better train services for the commuters of SW London."

Cross Rail is a joint project between the Strategic Rail Authority (i.e. the government) and Transport for London and the Transport Minister, Alistair Darling, has acknowledged the transport case for Cross Rail and aims to make a basic decision before the end of the year.

Dee Doocey, who is the Lib Dem GLA spokesperson for SW London said that, "if the 2012 timetable is to be met, decisions have to be made soon. The project has great potential benefit for SW London and should get strong political support from the Mayor and the London assembly. The issue which concerns me however is that the current plans put forward Cross Rail as an alternative, rather than an addition to District Line services from Richmond. My Lib Dem colleagues will be pressing for retention of the District Line alongside Cross Rail".