Vince Cable

After meeting the Chief Executive of Crossrail, MP Vincent Cable has had written confirmation of reassurances regarding the impact of the proposed project on the Twickenham side:

• The Strawberry Hill level crossing would NOT be closed as some residents fear.
• There will be NO reduction in the Waterloo services; the Cross Rail service via Kingston, Teddington and Twickenham to Paddington, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street will represent four additional fast services an hour into central London.
• Crossrail is considering a stop at St. Margaret's if the platforms can be lengthened.

Vincent Cable said that: "Crossrail has given the reassurances I wanted. I am more convinced than ever that this project would bring great benefit to my Twickenham constituency. Whether it will get government financial backing, especially in view of the apparent hostility of the council and some Richmond residents, is more doubtful. The borough must see this project as an opportunity rather than a threat and the best chance we have had in a long time to get decent services into central London for people in Strawberry Hill, Teddington, Hampton Wick and stops on the Hampton loop-line".