Examination of Witnesses (Questions 17750
- 17758)
Ordered that Counsel and Parties be called in.
Committee Statement on Woolwich Station
17750. Chairman: Mr Mould, I suspect
you are the one who has been dispatched here to hear our response.
I will read it, for the record.
17751. Two weeks ago the Promoters gave their
response to the interim decisions made by this Committee in July.
We were extremely disappointed, actually amazed, to learn that
the Government had decided to refuse the Committee's request to
build a station at Woolwich.
17752. The Committee, having been charged by
the House with the responsibility to decide this matter, heard
many days of evidence regarding the station at Woolwich and we
believe we are uniquely placed to decide whether the Bill should
be amended to include provision for such a station. The House
clearly instructed the Committee as to the issues it could and
could not consider, including this particular matter. The Committee
was instructed to listen to petitions, including those relating
to Woolwich, and we believe it is unprecedented for a government
to refuse to act on the Committee's decision at this stage of
a hybrid Bill.
17753. The Committee has therefore revisited
this issue. This morning, as you know, we travelled to the proposed
site for the Woolwich Station and, indeed, surrounding areas.
This has resulted in the Committee meeting again and reiterating
that we believe, more than ever, that the Crossrail Bill must
include provision requiring the Promoter to build a station at
Woolwich.
17754. We now urge the Government, in the strongest
possible terms, to reconsider its position on this matter and
to respect our views. The third set of additional provisions to
the Bill must include provision for a Woolwich Station. We expect
the Government to respond to this Committee at our next meeting
on Tuesday 24 October. If the Government continues to maintain
its current position, the Committee intends to make a special
report to the House on this and other matters. That is the statement.
The Committee will meet next Tuesday at 10am. Mr Mould, before
I call order would you like to say anything for the record?
17755. Mr Mould: Only that obviously
we hear what you say and I will make sure that next Tuesday we
have something to say to you in relation to that.
17756. Chairman: Can you make it absolutely
clear to the Government, in the strongest possible terms, our
views that we insist that it is replaced.
17757. Mr Mould: I shall report that
back.
17758. Chairman: Thank you very much.
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