Woolwich - the missing link in the Crossrail plans
Bexley Council Leader, Councillor Ian Clement, has joined our campaign to have a Crossrail station built in Woolwich.
In a letter to Alan Meale MP, Chairman of the Transport Select Committee, Cllr Clement wrote, "A station at Woolwich would be an important catalyst for the regeneration of the town.
"I am more convinced than ever that new, high quality transport infrastructure is essential to the regeneration not only of north Bexley but the wider Thames Gateway."
The story so far
Our long-standing Crossrail campaign received the backing of the Crossrail Select Committee this summer. Plans for the station were later withdrawn following concerns over costs from the government.
The Secretary of State for Transport, Douglas Alexander has now given further opportunity for Cross London Rail Link CLRL (the government agency behind Crossrail) to work with the Council to find a cheaper way of building a Woolwich station.
Saving costs
We are investigating a number of cost-saving ideas. We have appointed consultation engineers and will work with Crossrail who are undertaking similar investigations.
Significant savings to a Woolwich station are expected from:
- Detailed design and engineering work to reduce the depth and alignment of the station will bring about huge savings as current design requires very deep (and therefore costly) station shafts.
- Further investigations into the potential development opportunities of the station site – in parallel with the ongoing regeneration of Woolwich on sites such as the Royal Arsenal, Love Lane and with DLR opening in 2009.
We believe that fare income will be much greater than currently projected as current fares income is based on 2001 population growth figures. The population of Woolwich is now higher and will provide a greater income from fares over a longer period of time.
The benefits
Welcoming the support from Bexley, Councillor Peter Brooks, Deputy Leader of Greenwich Council said, "Central to our argument is that the Crossrail scheme is far better with Woolwich. As a major transport hub and area under a huge regeneration programme, the benefits of Woolwich Crossrail reach far beyond Greenwich, to Bexley, other neighbouring boroughs and across the wider Thames Gateway.
We are grateful for the support of our colleagues in Bexley who recognise that Crossrail coming to Woolwich is also good news for Bexley. "
Find out more about our Crossrail campaign and pledge your support.
14 December 2006