Crossrail Action Group
Opposing the Crossrail Plan for Romford & Chadwell Heath
Why do Crossrail want to build their maintenance depot in Romford?
During our discussion with James Ryan of Crossrail, at the Crossrail Consultation unit in Romford, we asked him why the maintenance depot needed to built on the Great Eastern line. He replied that it is because our line will be the first to be employed. Why? Apparently it is the cheapest part of the whole project. However, when a resident questioned Crossrail at the meeting House of Commons as to the comparative cost of the depot, we were told it was amongst the most expensive of the 42 sites considered.
It would seem therefore, that Crossrail are willing to pay an excessive amount for a depot, in order to provide us, sooner rather than later, with a service, that by James Ryan’s own admission, will replace and supplement the existing one. By this, we mean that the number of Crossrail services we are currently being promised are not all additional trains, but some are replacements for existing ones. They are currently expected to all be ‘all stations’ trains (with the exception of Maryland Station). James Ryan also confirmed that although we are to have a 24 hour, 7 days a week maintenance depot, the actual service is not expected to be 24 hour. When we put it to him that we will actually be no better off if using Heathrow for an incoming or outbound night flight, he agreed.
What is it exactly that investors are investing in, with regard to Romford?
We have no answer, but the following may leave you with something to ponder. Roger Evans, our elected member of the London Assembly tabled this question at the last Mayor’s Question Time,
"Reading the Montague Report, it is suggested that there may be a need for a maintenance depot at Romford, even if Crossrail does not go ahead. Could the Mayor give me his categorical assurance that the residents of Romford will not have to suffer the disturbance of a new depot on their doorstep if they are not going to benefit from a significant improvement in the town’s rail links?" - Roger Evans
And the Mayor’s reply;
"I am not aware of any plans the SRA or others may have for the Romford site beyond Crossrail. The focus is rightly centred on getting Crossrail built for the benefit of Londoners both locally in the Romford area and across the City: other plans for land in this area for rail use must be secondary to this." - Ken Livingstone
What other plans?
Our concern is that with the funding problems Crossrail are experiencing, they might build the depot in haste and the run out of funds. If that should happen we will be left with a depot, which will undoubtedly be sold to another rail company. Areas currently being used for train maintenance could then be developed for housing under regeneration plans. Whatever happens, we are set to become an industrial town for little gain.
|
|
Home
Site Disclaimer