Boris Johnson has suggested that negotiations to allow the East London Extension to go ahead are now close to completion. Responding to repeated questions from Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, the Mayor stated that he was “confident” it would go ahead, claiming that “we are on the threshold of greatness” and that “we are almost there”.
Caroline Pidgeon, who is the Liberal Democrat Transport Assembly Spokesperson, said:
“After so many years of waiting it is incredibly exciting that we now appear to be so close to a deal being agreed to allow the go ahead of this much needed transport project.
With a recession now biting these transport improvements are needed more than ever to help regenerate large parts of Wandsworth, Lambeth and Southwark. Any final deal must also involve retaining the proposed Surrey Canal Road station to allow parts of Bermondsey and Lewisham to also benefit.
“Ultimately an agreement needs to be finally reached between the Mayor and the Department of Transport. Boris Johnson should consider completing the deal his highest priority.
“The Mayor and the Government have got to pull the stops out so that this vital transport does not fall by the side.”