Lib Dems persuade Boris over East London Line

12.14.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd May 2008

Boris Johnson has agreed to seek an urgent meeting with the Department for Transport over funding for Phase 2 of the East London Line, following questioning from Lib Dem Caroline Pidgeon at Mayor's Question Time this week.

The Mayor also stated his priorities to securing proper funding from Government for Crossrail and Tube upgrades.

Transport Spokesperson for the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Caroline Pidgeon commented:

"I am delighted that Boris Johnson has taken my suggestion on board. Securing funding for Phase 2 of the East London Line development should be a real priority.

'The Government has indicated that Phase 2 is unlikely to be approved before 2012 but this is just not good enough. South Londoners are desperately in need of better transport links, and Phase 2 would provide this essential Tube access.

'I hope that the Mayor will follow up on his pledge and seek an urgent meeting with the Department for Transport in the next couple of weeks. We shall have to see how successful our new Mayor will be at working with Government on this pressing matter."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Mayor's Question Time was held on Wednesday 21 May 2008.