Date

Opinion

C.A.G. Reply: Many thanks for your message board submission.  I am unable to comment on the Havering publication as I haven’t received one yet.  We have certainly received the full support of Council Leader, Michael White and have enjoyed a good working relationship with Havering Council Planning Officers, although it has to be said that they have had to work on the assumption that the depot would go ahead and so our contact with them has been more connected with effects during construction and mitigation.  It would be interesting to know who writes and compiles these publications and what criteria are used for order of importance.  We have addressed other points of your query on our homepage.

C.A.G. Reply: Thank you for your kind words, they keep us motivated!  As for the quiz night... let the battle commence!

C.A.G. Reply: Hi Jason,  Crossrail is now at the Select Committee stage.  It will take up to 18 parliamentary months to complete during which time the Select Committee will have to sift its way through around 350 petitions and listen to the evidence and cross examination of all petitioners.  As I understand it the petitions will be heard in ‘blocks’ and at the end of each ‘block’ the committee will announce it’s findings.  We expect this area to be heard any time from April onwards.  I spoke to a Mrs Liddiard on the phone today and I assume that this is not coincidence and that you are related.  It was only after putting the phone down that it dawned on me that the name is very familiar.  I wonder if it is the same Mrs Liddiard who was a lunchtime assistant at Crowlands a few years back.  Mmm, small world?

C.A.G. Reply: Thank you Sue.

C.A.G. Reply: I too am sad that yet again someone who will be unaffected by the depot development sees fit to attack us without actually taking the trouble to read our website properly.  If you take the trouble to read CAG's aims and objectives it will soon become clear that we are not trying to scupper the whole Crossrail scheme, far from it.  We are attempting to prove that there are alternative sites for the 24 hour train maintenance depot, that either already exist or that could be built in areas where it would affect fewer homes.  The proposed development for Romford is logistically difficult, leaving engineers to have to come up with expensive designs, whereas to use other more easily accessible or existing locations, would save the Crossrail scheme money.  It seems a shame that it has become fashionable, and I must say boring, to use the phrase NIMBY so readily, yet unfashionable to care about one's home, family and environment.  Please read with more care.
 

C.A.G. Reply: Thank you for your message.  We too have found the many petitions very interesting and it is amazing to see who they have been submitted by.  To read the petitions please visit Petitions Against Crossrail on our News and Info page.

C.A.G. Reply: Hello and thanks for your enquiry.  I too, heard the report on funding last week.  It was a brief mention on the BBC London news and they said that the review in to local government funding has been delayed until the end of next year.  Ken Livingstone has always maintained that a decision in to how much funding for Crossrail can come from local government cannot be made until after the review.  The report did say that it could put the project back by 12 months but I would not be so sure about that as funding is being sought from other sources too and I wouldn't imagine that local governments would be expected to stump up anywhere near the £15 to £16b cost (as stated by the Transport minister at the second reading of the Bill).  You also mention the Olympics.  I have read an internet article (sorry, I can't remember where now) that said that Norman Haste, who was Crossrail's CEO until this spring, has made a suggestion that Crossrail should be postponed until after the Olympics.  A recent article in the Yellow Advertiser shows that Roger Evans, GLA representative for Havering and Redbridge and Chairman of the Transport Committee at the London Assembly, agrees with this.  Do they know something we don't? 

I would like to point out that any postponement of the scheme will not necessarily mean that Romford is saved from the Crossrail Depot.  A procedure called 'safeguarding' has been adopted by Crossrail.  This means that any area of land they have included in the Bill, cannot be built upon or significantly altered, without consultation with Crossrail - in case they get the go ahead in the future.  For example, they wouldn't be too pleased if  an area they wanted to use had blocks of flats built on it - imagine the amount it would cost in compulsory purchase orders in the future - so they 'safeguard' their interest by ensuring that they are consulted on any project that may affect their plans.

I'm sorry I can't be more positive about this. Although  I have to say that the cost of the project has doubled from £10b (2002 first quarter prices)  to £15b - £16b at current prices - that is a 50%+ increase in three years.  If the cost continues to increase at the same rate, that would mean at least £22b by 2008, £33b by 2011 etc.  The whole thing starts to take on horrendous proportions doesn't it. 

C.A.G. Reply: Andrew Rosindell certainly did do us proud and we thank him very much.  It was remarkable to see just how many MPs from other constituencies were against aspects of the bill.  A few words of support, from John Cruddas MP (Barking and Dagenham) for the C.A.G. members of Chadwell Heath, were gratefully received.  Thank you for your message Ron.

C.A.G. Reply: Thank you Susan, it is wonderful that Romford is home to such diversities.

C.A.G. Reply: Thank you very much for your message, it's nice to hear from you.  You make many valid points here. 

C.A.G. Reply: Thankyou for your submission Mr Arnold.  It's lovely to hear from new people.  We agree with you; should Crossrail take Westlands Rough, future members of the 10th Romford Scouts will not have the opportunity to enjoy it as those before them have.

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