• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 20 June 2001

There are huge economic problems in the south-east quadrant, which is a very socially deprived area. Although we have a lot of buses, we also have a huge amount of road traffic, which is very polluting and unpleasant, and divides communities. Can you foresee that Thameslink 2000 could start to reduce road traffic if we got even one or two stops between London Bridge and West Norwood?

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 20 June 2001

I am very happy to hear about that review. This is part of a much bigger problem, and I warn all members of the Economic Development Committee who are here that I am going to use the phrase "world city", and I am going to use it a lot. I am not sure if - [Interruption.] Do you not think that there is a conflict between the idea of London as a world city and giving Londoners the sort of London they need?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 20 June 2001

I am obviously interested in Crossrail and Romford and Thameslink, but the real prize for London in terms of working with the heavy rail system and the SRA and Railtrack is the Orbirail proposal and the east London line extension. When you stand for re-election, if you do, in three years' time, will you be able to point to tangible progress with those schemes; and what are you doing to make sure that tangible progress is made?

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 20 June 2001

You will be pleased to hear that the SRA came and spoke to the Transport Policy Committee not long ago, when we were able to discuss their priorities. In your next meeting with the SRA, I wonder whether you will continue to build on your reputation for consensual politics by supporting Havering Council's, and my own, wish that the SRA make a priority of lengthening the platform at Romford station, so that suburban trains can stop at Romford on their way into London, and increase the number of services from Romford for those people.

• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 23 May 2001

When Ken is giving advice to Bromley council, would he like to advise them that they should dip into their estimated £50 million of general reserves to do something about the park, which they have neglected in the long term? Would he like to seek the final revocation of the existing planning consent that Bromley granted for this site, to make sure that another developer does not try to step into the shoes of the one that has just pulled out?

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 23 May 2001

I suspect that Jenny was hinting to get you to advise that voters should not vote against the current administration of Bromley Council, which I would endorse, since it is run by a Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition. But beyond that, would you bear in mind that the "top site" scheme was but one part of a much larger regeneration package? In particular, would you be prepared to suggest to Bromley Council, where there is broadly an all-party consensus on this aspect, that it would be advisable to discuss with the LDA means of preserving the regeneration funding that was made available...

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 23 May 2001

Is there any money in the Budget for that, do you think?

• Question by: Jenny Jones
• Meeting date: 23 May 2001

Absolutely. Bearing in mind that Bromley Council was extremely remiss, if that is not too kind a word, in not doing an environmental impact assessment, and not just failing to consult but ignoring the community, do you have any advice for the voters of Bromley in next year's council elections?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 23 May 2001

Like other Members, I obviously welcome progress with Crossrail, but I have two constituency matters on which I hope I can have your support. The first is that, as Roger mentioned, Tower Hamlets Council petitioned against Crossrail previously because it was going to cause massive damage to one of the poorest parts of Tower Hamlets, in the Spitalfields area. My understanding is that the review is suggesting that the portal might be moved away from that area, and I seek your support on that. Secondly, I would like to put on the radar screen - and perhaps seek your support...

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 23 May 2001

May I pick up on John's comment about the river crossing? Accepting that the Jubilee line, if it runs properly, can have greater capacity, would you also take on board the point that the Jubilee line does not assist those who come up from south-east London, from the other south-east London boroughs and from Kent. There is a growing commuting population, which of course will be working either in Canary Wharf or in Stratford to the east of London, and that reinforces the argument for looking at the heavy rail option as well as the possible DLR extension that has...