News from Val Shawcross - DLR extensions must not end with Woolwich

Labour's transport spokesperson, Val Shawcross, said:

"We are delighted to see the DLR extension to the Woolwich Arsenal opened on time, which is testament to the work of the previous administration and Transport for London. But, sadly, there is a real danger this could be the last of the extensions to the DLR as our new Mayor seems more keen on abandoning transport schemes than initiating them. If Boris is delighted about the opening of the Woolwich extension, maybe he can try to imagine the bitter disappointment he caused by axing the DLR extension to Dagenham and consider reversing this terrible decision.

"The Mayor has said a lot about the need to invest in major projects for the sake of London's economy and he's happy to celebrate the opening of one DLR extension. But, at the same time, he has abandoned the extension to Dagenham - a project vital to the economic regeneration of the city that would have brought 10,000 new homes to the area.

"This Mayor has not set himself one difficult or challenging aspiration for London's transport planning. He is clearly not interested in going all-out for London's economic future. The DLR extension to Dagenham Docks is vital to the regeneration of the area, connecting it to other parts of London. £5 million has already been spent on the project and will go up in smoke if the Mayor does not re-consider his regressive decision"

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. Val Shawcross is Labour's transport spokesperson, London Assembly member for Lambeth & Southwark and chair of the Assembly's transport committee

2. More information on the potential benefits of the Dagenham Dock DLR extension can be found here http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/3327.aspx