• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 15 September 2004

Finally, obviously there will be a detailed examination in Parliament and people will have an opportunity to make their case, but one of the concerns for local business is about the disruption on the Brick Lane economy, the confidence that people have in the visitor economy in that area and the consequence of environmental damage, heavy vehicle movements or whatever. Are you happy to look at the possibility of compensation for business, of mitigation measures and of environmental safeguards, maybe working with the London Development Agency (LDA) to look at whether there are ways in which you can counter any...

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 15 September 2004

There is a further concern on this which is the proposal that the spoil be conveyed on something like a one?mile conveyor belt to Mile End park, put into an enormous pile " a small mountain " and then carried away to wherever it goes in deepest Essex. Are you happy to explore the possibility that that conveyor belt not be required and that some sidings or whatever is possible, be put close to Allen Gardens if the site happens there?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 15 September 2004

The area consists of narrow, densely populated streets with lots of small businesses. Obviously the concern about the disruption is real, as expressed by both Darren Johnson and John Biggs. However, I think there is an underlying feeling that when you say that the people building Crossrail have looked for the best option, what they consider as the best option is perhaps not what the local people consider best and the interests are different. I would just like your assurance that we could have the economics of alternatives laid out in front of us as well as simply locational options.

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 15 September 2004

I know that the Crossrail team have been doing some detailed work on this anyway. It would reasonable, would it not, for that information to be shared at the Parliamentary Bill stage?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 15 September 2004

Equally, as regards the question of alternative working sites, I appreciate the point you make about the two?year extension, but clearly that needs to be balanced against the damage and disruption to the local community and environment. There is a cost to the local community and environment. Clearly, in crude terms a two?year extension to the construction may be massively more expensive if you were to come up with a figure for the damage to the local environment, but that does need to be explained, discussed, described and explored during the Bill stage. Are you happy for that to happen?

• Question by: Diana Johnson
• Meeting date: 15 September 2004

Is it right that you have arrived at this without any environmental impact assessment being prepared?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 15 September 2004

I am very grateful to Darren Johnson for raising this question. I have made a number of written questions on this issue and I have discussed it with the Mayor. I have attended meetings with local residents. The fact is that Labour members and, I think, the majority of Assembly Members, very strongly support Crossrail, but my constituents in Spitalfields have very real and genuine concerns about the effects of it. We are about to move into a Parliamentary Bill, which would be supported by TfL and will be debated in Parliament. I was wondering if I could get a...

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 15 September 2004

You have basically said that this is the cheapest option, but do you not agree that this is the worse possible option in terms of the impact on the largest number of dwellings, the impact on listed buildings in the area, the greatest disruption to local residents, the greatest displacement of business and residents? It is simply the worst possible option for people locally.

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 15 September 2004

No one is saying that.

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 15 September 2004

Local groups have talked about numerous options. Will you speak to them and investigate with them other ways forward and other solutions.