Monday, November 21, 2005
LONDON CONFERENCE
BUSES & TRAINS
THE IRONY IN LOCAL LIB.DEM’S CONTRIBUTION!Local Lib. Dems. were represented by Geoff Seeff and John Beanse at the London Region Liberal Democrat Conference on Saturday, 19th November.
Speaking in the session on Transport, John Beanse (who was the Liberal Democrat candidate in Chingford & Woodford Green in 2005) drew attention to the way London Buses repeatedly ignored representations for better bus services locally. He said: “Their “Customer Services” department is a total misnomer and the dismissive replies are sometimes curt to the point of being rude.”
He also stressed the need for an improved rail network. For years local campaigners have argued for the re-opening of the Hall Farm Curve (beyond St James’ Street) to enable a direct service from Chingford to Stratford. He said: “This would be a relatively straightforward project - and not inordinately expensive – which would bring considerable benefit and better transport links to the borough.”
Speaking after the Conference, John Beanse said: “It was IRONIC that I should be making these points at a conference held in Bermondsey (Southwark College). To get there, I was able to travel from Stratford to Bermondsey on the Jubilee Line, but of course getting to Stratford is not so straightforward. In the end I took two buses, but it was a bit like a slow boat to China. If only this rail link had been in place, the journey would have been quicker and more convenient!
Stratford would of course also offer links not just with the Jubilee Line, but also with the Central Line and the Docklands Light Railway – and also an alternative way of picking up other rail services from Liverpool Street.”
# posted by John Beanse @ 5:45 PM 
