Examination of Witnesses (Questions 14180
- 14199)
14180. Sir, I cannot say much more than that.
The modelling is what it is; it is the standard system. If we
give up on Crossrail then we give up on trying to plan our rail
transport
14181. Chairman: I think you have well
covered the queries there. We will have a look at some of the
questions that Mr Wilson posed, which were quite a number—
14182. Mr Elvin: I think I have covered
them fairly broadly, either through Mr Berryman or through what
I have just said. If there is anything you require me to address,
no doubt you will let me know.
14183. Chairman: Martin, do you want
to say anything in summing-up?
14184. Martin Salter: No, I am very happy
with what has been put across.
14185. Chairman: Thank you. That ends
that particular Petition. We now move on to the next Petition,
which is Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group, represented
by Claire Prosser.
The Petition of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce
Group
Ms Claire Prosser appeared on behalf of the Petitioner
14186. Chairman: Mr Taylor?
14187. Mr Taylor: I believe there are
three issues that the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group
is going to raise: extension of the scheme to Reading; Crossrail
services to Heathrow and the impact on the Great Western main
line.
14188. Chairman: Do you know what time
you are going to need?
14189. Ms Prosser: Only about 10 minutes.
I will not be commenting on Heathrow; it has all been discussed
previously.
14190. The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce
Group speaks on behalf of nearly 3,000 businesses in the Thames
Valley, which encapsulates 178,000 employees equating to 25 per
cent of the working population. The Chamber represents a 31 per
cent market share of the large corporate, private sector companies
and business people in the Thames Valley. The region covers, as
you know, Aylesbury Vale, Bracknell Forest, Oxfordshire, Reading,
Slough, West Berkshire, Wycombe & South Bucks and Wokingham.
We have also in May opened an accredited Chamber of Commerce in
Swindon which will cover businesses in that region and in wider
Wiltshire.
14191. The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce
would like to reiterate and to preserve its position for the record
this morning. We do acknowledge that a variety of experts have
already given evidence on this and that much debate has already
been given. During our consultation we received support for our
position from the following organisations: Reading Borough Council,
Reading MPs (who are here today), Reading City Centre Management
(which covers business and public sector organisations), the South
East England Regional Assembly, ACTVaR (who I understand gave
evidence last week, which Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce endorses),
the CBI and FirstGroup, the train operator.
14192. The Thames Valley Transport Group, which
is co-ordinated by the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, has
also been consulted with for our position. The group meets five
times a year and discusses important current consultations, including
all modes of travel, especially rail.
14193. In a recent survey of members we identified
that poor transport infrastructure costs each business an average
of £27,000 a year, and 56% of businesses have reported it
as a major influencing factor when deciding where to locate. As
well as impacting on business operating costs, 46% of our members
are convinced that a lack of inward investment in our region is
caused by an inadequate regional transport system. We do consider
that Crossrail is crucial to maintain and support this region's
growing, dynamic and thriving economy. Fast train links are critical
for our members and the business community.
14194. On the first point—scheme Development:
Reading as the westerly hub—as we have heard this morning
Reading is cited as a strategic hub in the most local, regional,
national and multi-modal strategies including: Thames Valley Multi
Modal Study, South East Regional Transport Strategy, South East
Development Agency, Local Transport Strategy and the Strategic
Rail Authority. Reading is the second largest rail interchange
outside of London and is a strategic hub both regionally and nationally
and should be the natural western terminus for Crossrail. The
proposal fails to link with national rail services from a recognised
hub.
14195. At this stage I would like to refer to
the position of Theresa May MP, who last week said, and I quote:
"I do not see why it would not consider Reading as a more
suitable alternative. Maidenhead is a default choice. It will
only disrupt Maidenhead".
14196. The rail network is an important component
of the overall transport system and is used by 66% of our members
for business related activities. This Committee, therefore, is
an essential opportunity to reiterate the case for Crossrail to
choose Reading as its western terminus. The current proposal to
terminate the service at Maidenhead is illogical and potentially
damaging to the quality of stopping services between Reading and
Paddington. Accordingly, the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce
Group believes that if a Crossrail service is to extend beyond
Slough it should terminate at Reading as a logical hub and carry
appropriate limited stop services. Not to include Reading would
be an opportunity lost and could fulfil several long-term strategic
objectives and facilitate a national need. The costs of electrification
of the line to Reading from Maidenhead (which is 13 miles) would
add, as we have heard today, £300 million to a £10 billion
project. Crossrail estimates a 2:1 return on investment.
14197. On specific cases, BT Group is investing
in the region substantially, and our submission is backed by BMW,
Boyes Turner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rockwell Collins and Yell,
and you have heard a lot of specific cases this morning.
14198. Some statistics. Approximately 5,000
people travel from Reading to London Paddington daily, Monday
to Friday. Reading has approximately 30 million visitors a year.
14199. We acknowledge the Promoter's response
in point 1, and I would question the comment: "offer the
best prospect of providing transport for London's increasing population
and relieving overcrowding." Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce's
emphasis and number one priority must be on supporting the needs
of Reading and indeed the Thames Valley. We do acknowledge the
Promoter's response point 2: "In January 2006 revised instructions
to the House of Commons Select Committee considering the Bill
were passed allowing them to consider proposals for extensions
of Crossrail to Reading and Ebbsfleet."
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