* UPDATED - This article has been updated to include a copy of the reply Julia Lopez MP received from Lilian Greenwood MP
Earlier this month, Julia Lopez MP wrote to the new Transport Secretary as well as the Rail Minister, calling for answers on three key transport projects in the constituency, namely the refurbishment of the Gallows Corner flyover, the Lower Thames Crossing and getting step free access on platform 6 at Upminster Station.
Back in the summer, the Department for Transport announced it was suspending all capital investment projects and reviewing its spending commitments, casting doubt over the future of these key transport projects in the constituency.
The previous Conservative Government had made firm commitments to delivering the projects, agreeing to fund 85% of the cost of the Gallows Corner flyover refurb (around £57m), and committing funding through the Access for All programme for a feasibility study on proposals to make platform 6 at Upminster Station step free.
In August, Julia wrote to the then Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, asking for a commitment that the Gallows Corner flyover refurb would not be cancelled in light of the spending review.
She also wrote to the Rail Minister in the same week, asking for the Government to commit to plans which could see a lift installed at platform 6 at Upminster station.
Unfortunately, no commitment on the schemes were forthcoming with Ministers, instead only confirming that a review of their capital spend was underway – leaving the future of these three vital transport schemes uncertain.
As such, in the absence of any announcements from the Department for Transport, Mrs Lopez has written again to the Transport Secretary and Rail Ministers for clarity on the future of the three projects. She is also once again seeking their commitment to deliver these projects which had been set in motion by the previous Conservative Government.
