Southwark Lib Dems question Crossrail levy

2.25.00pm GMT Thu 12th Nov 2009

Southwark Liberal Democrats have written to the GLA questioning the need for Southwark's businesses to pay towards Crossrail.

The proposed levy would mean businesses from London Bridge to Elephant & Castle having to pay £160 per square metre of their premises towards the Crossrail project which will run through central London towards Canary Wharf. The nearest Crossrail stations to Southwark will be at Farringdon and Liverpool Street, over two miles from the Elephant & Castle.

Commenting, Cllr Paul Noblet, Lib Dem Executive member for Regeneration, said: "I think there are massive concerns over these plans. Creating a compulsory charge on local businesses and developers on top of business rates and section 106 agreements, will have a serious impact on the regeneration at the Elephant, and in the middle of a recession will cause local businesses real pain.

"The nearest Crossrail stations are all on the north bank of the river and for most local residents and businesses that will mean a bus journey or a walk of up to two miles.

"I'm also concerned that Crossrail could actually cause more congestion on the Northern Line which means once again residents in Borough, Kennington and around the Elephant will once again be forced to pay more for someone else to have transport improvements."

ENDS