Campaign for Better Transport alarmed at threat to cross London scheme

THE Campaign for Better Transport has called on the three main parties to clarify their policy on Crossrail and other major transport projects.

The demand follows a statement today from Justine Greening, the shadow minister for London, that Crossrail funding will not be guaranteed under a Conservative government.

Crossrail will provide an underground link through the City and central London between Brentwood in Essex and Heathrow.

Richard Bourn, the campaign’s London organiser, said: “All three parties need to tell us what they will fund and what they will cut.

“The Conservatives need to clarify where they stand on Crossrail, Labour has said in its manifesto that it supports some transport schemes without confirming if it will actually fund them, and the Liberal Democrat manifesto was completely silent on Crossrail.”

A spokesman for the Conservative Party said: “The Conservative Manifesto is very clear - we support Crossrail.”

However, Tessa Jowell, Labour’s London minister, said: “It is now clear that Conservatives will not commit to the construction of Crossrail, which is vital for business, jobs and economic growth in London.

“This is in stark contrast to Labour’s clear and unequivocal commitment to Crossrail which will add 10% to London’s transport capacity, create 14,000 jobs in the construction period, and add an estimated �20billion to London’s economy.”