There may be light at the end of the tunnel for our campaign to build a Crossrail station at Woolwich.
The government is allowing us a further opportunity to work with the Cross London Rail Link agency to find ways to reduce the cost of a Woolwich station.
The announcement follows the call from the Crossrail Select Committee this summer to reinstate Woolwich into the plans for the cross-London rail scheme.
The government had previously indicated that it had serious concerns about the cost of adding the Woolwich station into the scheme.
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Greatly encouraged
Welcoming the government’s announcement in relation to a Woolwich Station, the Leader of Greenwich Council, Councillor Chris Roberts said:
"I am greatly encouraged and thankful that the Secretary of State has provided an opportunity to look once again into the merits of a station at Woolwich.”
"Following the announcement in the House of Commons last night, we look forward to working actively with CLRL to see where further savings to the station costs can be made. We are confident that we will be able to convince the government that a Woolwich station will add to the overall benefits of the wider Crossrail scheme.
"The financial case for Woolwich has always been extremely strong. In addition to a better cost/benefit ratio than the scheme as a whole, Woolwich offers an unique opportunity to become a major Thames Gateway transport hub. It will also bring about much needed jobs, homes and regeneration to an area which has suffered from decades of underinvestment and decline.
"Our campaign for Woolwich has received the support of thousands of local people, the businesses community and all political parties – both locally and nationally. We will redouble our efforts to ensure that Woolwich is given the opportunity to contribute to one of the greatest transport developments for generations."
1 November 2006