Still no Government funding for Thameslink box
The London Transport Users' Committee (LTUC), the watchdog representing transport users in London, has re-iterated its bitter disappointment that the Government has still not yet committed to the funding for the Thameslink 'box' at the new St Pancras station. This funding would enable Thameslink to have its own fully accessible station close to Kings Cross Main Line, and near to the new International Station.
Brian Cooke, Chair, LTUC said: "The Thameslink work is an absolutely vital part of the international station at St Pancras, and funding is urgent - we have been assured that this project has Government and Mayoral support, but still the commitment is not forthcoming."
LTUC has campaigned in order for the funding to be committed in time for it to be completed by 2007, when the new International station is due to open. Even if the decision was given now, it is doubtful that it could be completed by then, and further delay is likely to increase the cost considerably.
Brian Cooke added: "It would be quite ridiculous to open a new international station in London without making sure essential works like this are in place. If London wants to be a world-class city, it has to have world-class public transport and transport hubs.
It is also deeply unfair that Thameslink customers, who have suffered, and are still suffering, from lengthy engineering works, are unlikely to see any benefit at all, and will still have to use the badly-sited and poorly-equipped station in Pentonville Road."
For further information, please contact Jo deBank in the LTUC press office on 020 7726 9953 or out of hours on 07734 055494 or Brian Cooke on 07981 691174
Speaking for transport users in and around London
4th April 2005