Labour MP for Erith & Thamesmead

Teresa Pearce MP


what a difference a year makes

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Teresa Pearce

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  Can it only be a year since Boris became Mayor of London?

  ….. It seems like a lifetime ago.

 In that year we have seen:

  • The “letting go” of Sir Ian Blair as police chief
  • A rise in public transport fares averaging  6% overall – higher than the rate of inflation
  • Three year freeze on bus expansion program
  • Environment budget reduced by £139k
  • The Greenwich Waterfront Transit Scheme cancelled.
  • Mayor’s decision not to proceed with the Thames Gateway Bridge.
  • Failure to provide leadership over police mishandling of G20 protests
  • 2/3rd cut in funding for London Cycle Network
  • Dropping of £25 emissions charge for gas guzzlers and Western Extension of congestion charge.
  • Abandonment of 100 public spaces program.
  • Planning for new transport schemes abandoned: Cross River Tram; DLR extension Dagenham Dock; Croydon Tramlink, Oxford Street tram; large number of step free access tube schemes

My biggest complaint about Boris is that he has cancelled any real investment in the infrastructure of our patch for the next 15 years.Without freedom of movement that comes with accessible transport you don’t have the opportunity to access anything else.

I am interested to know what you think is his worst decision. We have another 3 years of this and if in 12 months this is what 1 Tory in London can do, imagine what it would be like with a government full of them!

4 to “what a difference a year makes”

  1. Anne Price says:

    I can’t think which of the list I dislike most, although possibly it would be the reduction in funding for cycling, especially as he is pretending to help cycling via his bike rental scheme – this will apparently be funded, but he is also seeking sponsorship for it!
    The fact that he has blocked the bridge and every other transport improvements for the local area is also a big problem.

  2. Peter says:

    Quite a list. A roll call of disengagement. In his approach to transport on our side of the city, and particularly the blocking of the bridge, he seems to be quite happy to stifle the potential for economic activity between the north and south sidss of the river. It puts the east side of the capital at a distinct disadvantage.
    He also said his proudest moment as Mayor was holding the Olympic flag in Beijing. How about finding a moment to be proud of in London?

  3. wonkotsane says:

    * The “letting go” of Sir Ian Blair as police chief
    He was rubbish at his job, a political stooge and deeply unpopular

    * A rise in public transport fares averaging 6% overall – higher than the rate of inflation
    Tell the Chancellor to stop increasing fuel duty and road tax

    * Three year freeze on bus expansion program
    One word: recession. We can’t afford it.

    * Environment budget reduced by £139k
    See above

    * The Greenwich Waterfront Transit Scheme cancelled.
    See above

    * Mayor’s decision not to proceed with the Thames Gateway Bridge.
    See above

    * Failure to provide leadership over police mishandling of G20 protests
    Boris is Mayor, not the head of the Met, not the head of the IPCC and not the Home Secretary

    * 2/3rd cut in funding for London Cycle Network
    I’ll give you that one

    * Dropping of £25 emissions charge for gas guzzlers and Western Extension of congestion charge.
    A move that is welcomed by most Londoners and commuters.

    * Abandonment of 100 public spaces program.
    I’ll give you that one

    * Planning for new transport schemes abandoned: Cross River Tram; DLR extension Dagenham Dock; Croydon Tramlink, Oxford Street tram; large number of step free access tube schemes
    Recession – we can’t afford it

  4. john zims says:

    What a breath of fresh air Boris has been after the decaying mess Livingstone left.

    Got rid of 100 or so non jobs at city hall,stopped the Jaspar gravey-train,frozen the bloated city hall rates.
    Hopefully we can look forward to at least a further 10% cut in the budget,as that will be waste / more non jobs nobody will the affected.






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