Home page
Top Stories
National News
National Video News
Send News, Pictures and Videos
Video News
Lewisham and Greenwich
Bexley
Bromley
Dartford and Gravesend
Swap Shopper
Our Young Stars
Retro
Dan Dares
Features
Newsroom Blog
Condolence
Picture Galleries
Photo Sales
Campaigns
Our Reporters
Youth
Transport
Transport News
Travel Latest
Health
Weather
Beat the Crunch
Site Map
Search Advanced Search
Transport News  RSS Feed RSS feed | About
  • If you know of any roadworks or delays in your area, if you've had any problems on the roads or trains, or if you want to raise any transport issues, email us
  • For the very latest up-to-date traffic news, public transport information and roadworks click here
  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
    SWAP SHOPPER
    Swap Shopper £2,000 party offer
    Gold-en chance missed but Swap Shopper goes on
    YOUR SPACE
    Concert review - V Festival
    Album review - Diva
    RETRO
    Fox slaughter and political scandal
    OUR YOUNG STARS
    Chance to reward Our Young Stars
    GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL
    Most read Comments
    Can Boris give plans for transport a boost?
    Councillor Peter Craske and former Bexley Council leader Ian Clement promote the Jump on Board campaign
    Councillor Peter Craske and former Bexley Council leader Ian Clement promote the Jump on Board campaign

    THERE are high hopes the election of a supporter of Bexley Council's Jump on Board campaign to London's top job will boost the chances of its success.

    The campaign was launched in February to try to improve public transport in the borough.

    Its main aims are to extend the Greenwich Waterfront Transit (GWT) across Bexley to link up with north Kent's Fastrack system, extend the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) into Thamesmead and extend Crossrail to Ebbsfleet.

    Bexley also wants to see the introduction of 12-carriage trains on the rail network and the expansion of the Oyster card to make it acceptable for travel on all trains in the capital.

    The council claims Bexley has been excluded from many of the public transport improvements which are being introduced in other surrounding boroughs, such as the GWT and Fastrack, which end at the borough boundaries.

    But Bexley councillor Peter Craske, cabinet member for transport, says he is optimistic the situation will change now Tory Mayor of London Boris Johnson is in place.

    He was the only one of the three major mayoral candidates to pledge support for the campaign.

    Councillor Craske said: "We want to have a meeting with the Mayor and Transport for London as soon as possible, to see how we can work together to deliver what Bexley wants to see.

    "We are expecting lots of changes to the way things are done."

    Cllr Craske added: "I think we have got a strong case."

    The most obvious first target is the extension of the GWT into Bexley, where part of the potential Bexley route has already been safeguarded.

    Cllr Craske said: "The building blocks for extending the GWT are already there.

    "It is definitely something we can now work on and try to deliver."

    He added: "And there is no reason why the DLR should stop at Woolwich or why it cannot be extended to Thamesmead and north Bexley."

    The Crossrail scheme is more problematic and longer term, but Bexley made its case to the House of Lords two weeks ago.

    Cllr Craske said: "Together with the new mayor and the former one, we want to get people out of their cars and onto public transport, but we have to have the alternatives in place to do that.

    "We do not want to just moan about it.

    "There are things we can do and I think the doors are opening."

    1:16pm Thursday 15th May 2008

    Print   Email this   Comment
    Posted by: Gemma, Belvedere on 1:38pm Thu 15 May 08
    What about a Night bus for Belvedere?
    Posted by: Your Lord Erastus Theobald Piggott The Great, The Study on 5:21pm Thu 15 May 08
    Indeed Gemma, Belvedere is best seen in the dark, though I suggest that the bus be armour-plated.

    Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
    Posted by: SPLASH, London on 12:13am Fri 16 May 08
    Mr Piggott strikes again.
    Posted by: phil, barnehurst on 1:02am Fri 16 May 08
    Councillour craske is the new lefty green conservative,we have to ride sodding bikes or get on crap public transport.What planet do these people live on.Open up blackwall tunnel and get the ferrys working.No toll on Dartford crossing,is that a start boris ,you light-jumper.
    Posted by: MB, Bexleyheath on 9:16am Fri 16 May 08
    As long as they can put pressure on South Eastern to run longer trains (every service in the peaks) and more trains, particularly in the evening and at night, I'm all for it.

    A 2 trains-per-hour service after an evening out in London is appalling.
    Posted by: GEMMA, Belvedere on 4:25pm Fri 16 May 08
    Your Lord Erastus Theobald Piggott The Great wrote:
    Indeed Gemma, Belvedere is best seen in the dark, though I suggest that the bus be armour-plated. Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
    What a great idea M'Lord! I would certainly feel alot safer!
    Add your comment
    Name:
    Email: *
    Location:
    **
    Security Image. Registered site users are not required to enter Security Image Information.
     
     e.g. 123-123
    Comment:
    Please note: All HTML tags will be ignored.
    Format Text:

     
    By posting a comment, I confirm that I have read and agree to the terms of use. Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings. Please treat other people with respect. You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory. Remember, you are personally liable for what you post on this site. If you wish to complain about a comment, contact us here.
    * Your email address will not be displayed
    ** To avoid register now or login
    Archive

    When news happens: Send pictures and video to NEWS SHOPPER 80360
    or email your tip-offs...


    '
    Click here to read your local newspaper online

    Click here for Bexley College prospectus


    CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON GREEN GUARDIAN

    See our Bite restaurants guide
    Order your photographs online...
    Local info
    Latest traffic updates, school league tables, your nearest doctors, crime figures and more
    Terms & Conditions
    Privacy Policy © Copyright 2001-2008
    Newsquest Media Group
    A Gannett Company
    This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network