MP Vincent Cable has held a meeting with Norman Haste, the chief executive of Crossrail, and Bernard Gandhill, its head public affairs, to question them over their preference for using green Metropolitan Open Land in Crane Valley, Twickenham, for sidings.

Dr Cable said after the meeting that he was considerably reassured.

"The Crossrail team had been taken aback by the public reaction to their proposals," he said. "For some reason, Richmond Council never warned them of the controversy surrounding the site and they cheerfully went ahead with their technical studies unaware that there was a UDP planning inquiry taking place.

"I made it clear to Crossrail that, in the light of the planning inspector's findings to keep the Craneford Way playing fields and the rifle club free of development, there would be a strong, negative, public reaction.

"The current state of play is that Crossrail will take a fresh look at the options and the next step is public consultation. Given the other uncertainties over Crossrail I would be surprised if they would want to jeopardise the positive reaction Crossrail would otherwise get in Twickenham, Strawberry Hill, Teddington and Hampton as a result of providing a new fast service to Central London."

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

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