MP aiming for DLR extension (From News Shopper)

MP aiming for DLR extension

12:52pm Tuesday 17th May 2005 in News By Glenn Ebrey

RE-ELECTED MP Clive Efford is aiming to bring the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Eltham.

Fresh from being returned to the commons for a third time the town's MP says Eltham should put itself "on the map".

His first aim is to extend the DLR to the town, to improve its transport links with the rest of the capital.

Eltham is one of the few areas in London which is not served by either the tube or the DLR, something Mr Efford says is unfair.

He said: "The fact is this part of London subsidises the tube.

"We do not have it but we still pay the rates for it, so we should at least have the right to easy access to other transport links.

"I can leave my house in Eltham, get on a train to Charing Cross and walk to my office in Westminster faster than I can get a bus from Eltham to the nearest tube station in North Greenwich."

A DLR station is planned for Woolwich by 2008 but Mr Efford also believes the possibility of a further stop in Eltham should be looked at.

He added: "I do not know if it is practical to have a station here but I think we should at least put ourselves on the map and have the debate.

"There are major transport developments going on in the East London corridor.. What is in it for a place like Eltham?"

Eltham North councillor Spencer Drury said the idea was "lovely but fanciful."

He added he wants Mr Efford to concentrate on restoring mainline services to London Victoria, which were cut last month.