| Earlsfield Station and anti terror meeting |
| Monday, 10 October 2005 12:59 |
|
One of my biggest priorities over the next few
months is to improve the terrible facilities at Earslfield
station on Garratt Lane. There are three main problems at the station:
access to the station is up a steep flight of steps only – there are no lifts
which means that the station is completely inaccessible for disabled people and
parents with pushchairs; the ticketing facilities are inadequate with commuters
facing long waits to buy a ticket; and the cycle parking facilities are also
lacking, which means people travelling to the station by bike cannot secure
their bike safely.
On Wednesday 12th, I met with local developers who wish to develop adjoining sites and improve the station - with lifts. I have also been lobbying Ministers about the issue. As a member of the Public Accounts Committee I also took up my concerns with the Chief Executive of Network rail and the Managing Director of the train operating company in charge of Earlsfield station. I have arranged meetings with these 2 bodies and am also in the process of arranging for the relevant Minister from the Department for Transport to see the appalling state of the station first hand. On Wednesday evening, I spoke at a meeting organised by the Mayor of London at Central Hall, Westminster. It was a public meeting to discuss anti terror legislation and the concerns that many people have with the Terrorism Bill published this week. Other speakers included Ken Livingstone, Dr Abdul Bari from the Muslim Council of Britain, Mark Oaten MP, Frank Dobson MP and Shami Chakrabarti from Liberty. Alongside the Terrorism Bill, the Government has also launched a consultation on closing places of worship, and published a list of organisations to be added to the list of those already probscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000. I have recently tabled a number of questions about the Terrorism Bill, and I will post the answers when I receive them. I am still very concerned about detaining suspects without charge for 90 days as well as proposals to close down places of worship. These issues have had extensive coverage in the press over the past few weeks. MPs will be debating the Bill very soon, and there are a lot of issues that need to be discussed and resolved. |
Promoted by Tooting Labour Party on behalf Sadiq Khan and Tooting Labour Party, all of 273 Balham High Road, London, SW17 7BD. Hosted by 34SP.com, 349 Bury Old Road, Manchester, M25 1PY.
