§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve public transport services in the south-west London area; and if he will make a statement. [30570]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonMy Department is providing financial support to a range of public transport services in south-west London. They include the cross-borough SWELTRAC initiatives to improve public transport along key corridors between Croydon and Heathrow; a range of measures on the London Bus Priority Network comprising dedicated bus lanes and priority signalling; the "Countdown" passenger information system, which is being extended with a further 300 bus stops programmed for this year including sites in Wandsworth, Putney, Earlsfield and Tooting. Works are also in hand on the Croydon Tramlink project, linking Wimbledon to422W Croydon, programmed for completion by the end of 1999. Modernisation of the Northern Line to Morden is ongoing and new privately financed trains are being introduced shortly. In addition South West Trains is committed to a £90 million investment in new rolling stock for their services, while Thameslink Trains are enhancing station facilities on the Wimbledon loop.