Despite the many tough decisions taken in last month’s Spending Review, the Government has made a firm commitment to seeing through the Thameslink Programme in full.
As chair of the Cross Party Thameslink Group in Parliament, Matthew says: ""I know this is welcome news for hard pressed commuters. We have long suffered from chronic overcrowding on the line, which is why I have campaigned to secure this commitment.
The work already underway will mean longer trains and the transformation of two major commuter destinations, Blackfriars and Farringdon, by 2012. We now have certainty that the final phase of the programme will also see London Bridge station redeveloped and a high frequency service through London with more direct destinations from stations such as Mill Hill Broadway.
Network Rail’s works are well underway. Blackfriars will be the first station to span the Thames, providing us with direct access to the South Bank. The new station at Farringdon will have a direct interchange with Crossrail, bringing better access to the City and Heathrow for our local businesses.
Investing in infrastructure not only gives us a better transport system but it also provides jobs. The additional capacity and choice Thameslink provides will encourage business to invest and locate close to the reliable transport links that result. That's great news, not only for the Capital, but for Hendon too.""