Rail users back borough cross rail link

12.26.45pm GMT Thu 19th Feb 2004

The influential passenger group, the London Transport Users Committee has endorsed the Cross Rail proposals for South West London having initially expressed concern about the impact on South West trains services and on the District line.

It now considers its concerns to have been realised: there will be no substantial change to the SWT timetable and most District line users will have 'substantially quicker journeys' to a wade range of central are destinations.

Of the unresolved issues, the committee strongly supports the demands of residents and Vince Cable MP that Cross Rail should stop at St Margaret's (and if necessary have selective door opening if the platform is too short).

Vincent Cable said "he was pleased by the dispassionate and objectively based support of the committee; they have no axe to grind other than the welfare of passengers. It is very clear that the Richmond council has been doing residents a serious disservice by whipping up hostility to Cross Rail, The committee makes it clear that not only SW trains passengers are on my side of the river but also District line users in Richmond will receive substantial benefit".