• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 05 September 2001

Fare levels on the express link were a product of Bob Ayling. He wanted it to be an extension of the first class lounge on a 747. Crazy thinking.

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 05 September 2001

In October of this year, the decision is expected on Terminal 5. Current projected expectations are that that decision will be positive. The bit of CrossRail which can be relatively easily built and can go ahead is the Paddington-Heathrow link and that is essential if Terminal 5 is going to happen. Can we be assured, out west, that there will be no delay to the western link of CrossRail, even if this eastern link goes to a public inquiry, which I pray to God doesn't take as long as the Terminal 5 inquiry?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 05 September 2001

So there we are, totally unreportable and unquotable, because I'm broadly agreeing with you, but I think it is excellent stuff, if we can deliver it and I imagine the Labour members will be very keen to work with you to help to achieve that potential. You may also, by the way, find people south of the river feel a bit left out by this, but let's leave that until it emerges.

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 05 September 2001

One of the tragedies in life is I generally get reported as being a critic of yours. Now, on this issue, obviously both as a constituency member and as a person with a great interest in East London and probably as a Labour group member as well, we don't have a formal policy on this, this is an excellent proposal, although there are a few questions that clearly need to be answered and I think there would obviously have to be some sort of public inquiry before the thing goes ahead. With public inquiries, you don't only have to deal...

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 05 September 2001

Excellent. Shovel underground? How long do you estimate until the first shovel underground?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 05 September 2001

I think it's an excellent proposal, I don't have a problem with it at all. Three areas that I'd like you to say a bit more about is, I do have concerns about mixed funding and how we're going to fund all of this. It's a tripartite question, if you like. Then, further, a bit more about consultation because I think if there isn't a thorough consultation on the new regime, then you will be held up for a very long time trying to get it through. Thirdly, I worry about a phased development because the northern tranche, which goes...

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 05 September 2001

The first part of my question was, where does it go if the National Audit Office decides that you're right, and that it isn't value for money? Where can it go?

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 05 September 2001

Will you undertake to consult with the people of Havering and Redbridge and the local councils before you change your mind and definitely promote this route? Will you undertake also that this has nothing to do with the fact that fewer people voted for you in the Borough of Redbridge than anywhere else in London?

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 05 September 2001

Forgive us, I suppose we must be a bit naïve in my part of the world, but we thought that you were going to make transport decisions on the basis of what was good for passengers, rather than what was good for land values and for redevelopment. I do wonder, looking at the system as well, the old proposal was supposed to link up with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link at Stratford. How is the new system going to do that? How will there be a direct link to the City, because yes, it goes to the City eventually, but...

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 05 September 2001

One of the major reasons behind the original route for CrossRail was to take the pressure off the central line between Stratford and Liverpool Street. This is the most overcrowded section of tube in London, and every day many of the residents of Redbridge, and indeed people from Waltham Forest as well, suffer travelling to and from work in the City on that tube. How do you propose that this new system will fulfil that important requirement?