Examination of Witnesses (Questions 8760
- 8766)
8760. The regional scheme, I feel they are winding
up their objections to regional or Thameslink type operations
to suit the Mayor of London who wants to control the trains and
keep them within the M25 and stopping everywhere. It is a very
different approach. A regional scheme is not any bigger, in fact
it is smaller, you do not have to mess around at Shenfield, all
the trains terminate at Southend or Northampton where there are
lots of places for them to turn around and park overnight. It
is very much just a connection to Liverpool Street and Paddington
which has been proved in the past. I think really when you look
at the Promoter's reasons for objecting to going to Aylesbury,
say, they are very poor reasons.
8761. I just hope the Committee will be convinced
that the strategy is right and I do not think it is a huge delay.
If you are going to spend billions of pounds, get it right not
get it quick is the thing. Thank you.
8762. Chairman: Thank you very much indeed,
Mr Middleton. What I can say is we will take whatever is contained
in the petition and we will consider it along with all other views
in the course of our decision on the Bill.
8763. I just want to leave you with no illusions.
First of all, the Committee has a responsibility on Crossrail
which is that Parliament—which has given us the responsibility
to look at this—has deemed this a good Bill and we have
to see it through. We cannot stop Crossrail if it goes ahead,
that is the first thing.
8764. The second thing is that the ends are
already there, both ends of it. We can, it is true to say, twiddle
around with it, we can add a few stations, we cannot take them
away, but do not go away with the wrong impression. To move from
35 to 111 is a hell of a lot of messing around. I am not quite
sure whether that is in the remit of this Committee or indeed
whether Parliament will go along with it. We will read your evidence
and we will read the petition and we will take it into consideration.
Thank you very much.
8765. Can I just ask once again is Ann-Marie
Cousins here? (No response) The Clerks will be asked to contact
her, if she gives no good reason for not appearing then we will
take her petition in writing and move on.
8766. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.
We will resume this Committee at 10 o'clock in this room tomorrow
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