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Boris begs for cash to rescue south London rail link
Dick Murray, Transport Editor19.11.08
A CRUCIAL extension of a major rail link through south London was facing the axe today in a dispute over funding.
Mayor Boris Johnson has called on the Government to help commuters waiting for the East London line extension between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction.
There was a shortfall in the overall cost, which Mr Johnson has trimmed down to £30million. Today he pledged to find an extra £15million but stressed he couldn't afford any more.
Instead, he pleaded with Geoff Hoon, the new Transport Secretary, to match the latest savings and provide the additional £15 million required to complete the key section of line in time for the 2012 Olympics.
Mr Hoon, in a speech to MPs last month, announced a "programme of work to ensure that we make best use of our national transport networks and accelerate the process of identifying where future expansion is needed".
The overall cost of the project is estimated at about £110million, with capital costs - which includes buying the land and preparing the sites for construction - of £75million. The cash crisis has put the second phase of the development in doubt as the Government has rebuffed the Mayor's plea.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "The Government is already providing more than half of the funding needed for phase two of the East London line extension. We have already agreed a generous long-term funding settlement with Transport for London worth around £40 billion over the next 10 years. It is now for the Mayor and TfL to decide on their priorities for transport investment in London."
In a letter to Mr Hoon, Mr Johnson wrote: "I urge you to agree to this £15.5million contribution at the earliest opportunity." The extension to Clapham Junction would deliver "significant benefits for a relatively deprived area," he said.
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Reader views (19)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
Politics will determine this matter, not common sense or the transport requirements of those who would use the route.
In addition, why, why, why is the whole route - New Cross to Whitechapel - closed and for so long?
- David Davies, London
Boris has shot himself in the foot with the announcement yesterday with the announcement today of millions of pounds for guess what TRANSPORT UPGRADES the difference being these go to tory voters in outer London and not kens supporters in south London.
Problem is all those tory voters who need to travel through South London to get to work no wonder GB has a smile on his face Boris will help deliver London to Labour.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
The existing line is closed because it's being ripped up and completely replaced by main-line standard track and signalling, extended to Dalston Junction (and later to Highbury & Islington) at the north and West Croydon/New Cross/Crystal Palace at the south. It's on time and on budget, apparently, and will be a staggeringly better system when finished. It would be even better if it was extended as planned to Clapham Junction, and given the expressed desire of the DfT and Mayor to spend through the recession, that this is even in doubt is scandalous. The DfT just found the money to move the A11 road duelling forward, after all, and Boris has no trouble finding money for his vanity projects.
- Tom, London, UK
