Chelmsford needs Crossrail but will Labour deliver? - Robinson

12.00.00pm GMT Mon 21st Mar 2005

Labour supporters recently claimed that the Crossrail route (direct trains from Shenfield to west of London) would be a help to Chelmsford. After eight years of government underinvestment in rail, we should not hold our breath, says Chelmsford Liberal Democrat candidate Stephen Robinson.

Crossrail is over 20 years late and STILL not guaranteed to go ahead. Decades of under-investment by Labour and Conservative governments mean we have a rail network vastly inferior to our European neighbours. This means car and lorry journeys are many more than they might otherwise be.

Yes, Crossrail will be a great boost to Essex but neither Labour or Conservatives have a record that can give us confidence. Most recently, they both backed an illegal war that cost us over £3 billion - money which could have been better spent improving our public services like railways.

The Liberal Democrats have the long-term vision AND the costed plans that are required to bring Crossrail - and other essential improvements - into being. See http://www.libdems.org.uk/transport/