MP backs anti-tram campaign (Ealing Borough Liberal Democrats)

Ealing Borough Liberal Democrats <info@ealinglibdems.org.uk>

MP backs anti-tram campaign

April 16, 2006 11:53 AM

Simon Hughes MP with local Ealing Lib Dems (pictured l to r: John Maycock, Paul Morrison, Toran Shaw, Francesco Fruza, Gary Purkiss) launching their local election campaign

Simon Hughes MP backs Ealing Lib Dems anti-tram campaign

Simon Hughes MP gave a boost to the launch of Ealing Liberal Democrats' local election campaign, with a promise of continued opposition to the unpopular and costly tram proposals.

The Lib Dem party President said that the plan would have several adverse effects. "The tram would divert traffic from the Uxbridge Road onto residential side roads, with local pollution and risk of more road accidents," he said, "and it actually cuts the total transport capacity in the area."

Simon continued: "The price is huge and each year the predicted costs seem to rise. We should instead invest in newer, high-tech buses which are more energy-efficient and flexible, and would better serve the needs of local people."

He urged people to have their say, either in the ballot box on 4th May or by applying for postal votes.

Tony Miller, Chair of the local Lib Dem group, added that there are Lib Dem candidates in all 69 seats in the Borough. "At last year's general election, the Lib Dems won nearly a quarter of all the votes across Ealing," he said, "about the same as the Conservatives."

He went on: "Since then we have advanced further, and Lib Dems could now remove Labour's majority on the Council so that it cannot continue with unpopular policies such as support for the tram."