Boris agrees to meet on rail
web report: Southwark News 29 October 2009 John Prendergast
Mayor Boris Johnson has finally agreed to meet with campaigners and talk through the future of the South London Line.
The rail route, which runs on a loop from London Bridge to Victoria, could be axed in 2012 under current plans, but a public campaign backed by the 'News' has commenced to save the line.
Last week the 'News' reported that London Assembly Members Valerie Shawcross, Jenny Jones and Caroline Pidgeon were concerned that Boris was not going to meet them to discuss Transport for London's (TfL) role in saving the route.
Having initially agreed to review the problems surrounding the line in his question time session, it later appeared he was backing out of that pledge. The 'News' contacted his office to confirm if a date had been placed in his diary but it did not respond as we went to press last week - despite being contacted on a number of occasions.
But it now looks like the meeting will take place on November 11, shortly before the three delegates meet at the Department of Transport with minister Sadiq Khan.
Jenny Jones, who is also a councillor for South Camberwell, said: "The good news is that I think he has realised that he does have to meet us and let us have our say on the matter. We are trying to finalise a few details about the time of the meeting, but that is only because we are doing some work with our functional bodies at the assembly and it will be difficult to get to the meeting at certain times."
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: "If the DfT can find the money needed for a Victoria to Bellingham service then the Mayor would be delighted to see the scheme go ahead. He is set to meet members of the Assembly on November 11, before accompanying them to a meeting with the DfT to discuss the issue."
A poster can be downloaded from the Southwark News website which enables you to show your support for the campaign. You can also sign an online petition which can be accessed at http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/save-our-south-london-line.html.