MY constituents who are 45 years-of-age or over are likely to have ended their working lives before we see any real improvements on the Metropolitan Line service.

This fact emerged during the debate on the statement about the future of the London Underground on Thursday, February 7. The Transport Secretary, Stephen Byers, told MPs that new rolling stock is unlikely to come into service in the near future. Infrastructure improvements need to be made and it could be 15 to 20 years before the rolling stock is upgraded. But, of course, it all depends on the health and safety situation.

I was very sorry to have to miss the public meeting which Chesham Town Hall organised on the Metropolitan Line service. Stephen Byers' announcement, of which MPS only had short notice, clashed with the time of the Chesham meeting. I felt it was vital to stay in the Commons and put across the concerns of my many constituents who use the service and who have contacted me about its decline.

During the statement, I sought the Secretary of State's guarantee that Chesham's Underground station will stay open, with a full service. It is vital that the branch line should remain in operation. However, because Chesham and Amersham are outside the Greater London area, my constituents will not have a say if the actions of Ken Livingstone, the London Mayor, should damage our Tube service. Sad to say, Stephen Byers did not respond positively and I am now lobbying further to preserve Chesham's Underground link.

Cheryl Gillan MP

House of Commons

London

February 15, 2002 11:00