http://www.londontravelwatch.org.uk/news.php?id=592
http://www.londontravelwatch.org.uk/document/3360/get

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Stratford access needs attention urgently
London TravelWatch has written to the Government expressing its deep
concerns about the lack of progress on interchange arrangements at
Stratford.

There are still no satisfactory arrangements between the platforms to
be served by the Southeastern High Speed domestic services and
Stratford regional services in the period between December 2009 when
the high speed service commences and the completion of the work for
the Olympics in 2012.

Brian Cooke, Chairman, London TravelWatch said: “It is London
TravelWatch’s view that it is essential that the Southeastern services
call at Stratford from December 2009 to allow passengers to
interchange for destinations in the City and Docklands, and that this
interchange needs to be welcoming and safe for passengers. If the
services do not stop at Stratford, we fear unacceptable levels of
crowding on the remaining services into London Bridge and Cannon St
and on the Jubilee line.”

To achieve this, London TravelWatch believes that an interchange
facility needs to be in place by December 2009, which would require
the construction of a new bridge from the International station, an
entrance to Stratford regional station, and a safe means of
transporting passengers between these two sites between, or through,
the construction area for 2012.

Brian Cooke continued: “As we understand it, until the permanent
pedestrian route, the new ticket hall and the Docklands Light Railway
extension are in place, a shuttle bus would be needed, but there have
been no assurances given by the Olympic Delivery Authority or the
contractors that the roadway necessary for this service would be
available by December 2009 - this is unacceptable.”

London TravelWatch is also concerned that the building of a mechanised
link, a requirement in the original Transport and Works Order, has not
been enforced.

Brian Cooke said: “We have heard rumours that condition requiring a
mechanised link between the stations may be removed, but no suitable
alternative has been proposed, and we urge the Government not to give
consent to the removal of this condition until all parties, including
London TravelWatch, are satisfied that appropriate and convenient
alternatives are in place.”

Finally, London TravelWatch is worried that there is no firm date for
Eurostar services to start calling at Stratford.

Brian Cooke concluded: “A huge sum of public money went into building
the high speed line and stations at St Pancras, Ebbsfleet and
Stratford. It is a thorough disgrace that Stratford is not being
bought into use now. We urge the Government to put all possible
pressure on Eurostar and others to start services at Stratford.“

For more information, please contact Jo deBank in the London
TravelWatch press office on 020 7726 9953 or out of hours on 07734
055494.

The voice of London's transport users
30 May 2008
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