Hughes welcomes East London Line funding - with Surrey Canal Road option

12.00.00pm GMT Thu 12th Feb 2009

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, warmly welcomed today's announcement of funding for phase 2 of the East London Line. This will link Surrey Quays to Clapham Junction and finish the orbital railway line around inner London.

"Today's announcement is positive news for South London. At last south east London is beginning to be properly joined up to the rest of the capital.

"It is also good news that, although there is no definite commitment yet to a new station in Surrey Canal Road, the extension will be built so that an extra station can be added as redevelopment around Millwall's ground if agreed.

"With a deadline for completing this plan before the Olympics, there is now the certainty of better rail transport in South London within the next three years.

"But there are still things to sort out for South London travellers.

-          Keeping full opening hours at South London ticket offices

-          Improving facilities at South Bermondsey Station

-          Making sure people who use South Bermondsey have full services to London Bridge and Victoria

"I have also this week had assurances from London Transport that Cope Street Bridge will reopen next month and that the work in Rotherhithe New Road will finish in June. I have also been promised that, by this summer, there will be an end to the local weekend closures on our part of the Jubilee Line.

"The last few months have been really difficult for local residents and workers as we have all struggled with public transport closures in Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and Surrey Docks.

"For a few more months we will be taking the pain. I am determined that from summer on we must see the gain."