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Public Transport: Carshalton and Wallington

26 March 2024

Lead MP

Elliot Colburn

Debate Type

Adjournment Debate

Tags

TransportForeign AffairsWomen & EqualitiesParliamentary Procedure
Other Contributors: 1

At a Glance

Elliot Colburn raised concerns about public transport: carshalton and wallington in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Opened the debate
Mr Deputy Speaker, as we approach the recess, may I wish you and all colleagues a very happy Easter? Today, I would like to address the adequacy of public transport in my Carshalton and Wallington constituency. Being able to move around quickly and conveniently is vital for a vibrant economy and community, but my constituents have been deprived of consistent and reliable public transport due to mismanagement by the Mayor of London and a Liberal Democrat council. The tram extension has been shelved, the Go Sutton bus scrapped, and inconvenient existing routes are being imposed. Rail services post-pandemic have seen significant reductions in accessibility and convenience, with peak-time services still far from what they used to be. I campaign for restoring rail services and adequate weekend services, securing funding for step-free access at Hackbridge station, and advocating for the Croydon area remodelling scheme to improve connectivity. The expansion of the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) is causing significant grief to my constituents, who cannot afford to upgrade their vehicles and are burdened by fines and isolation.

Government Response

TransportForeign AffairsWomen & EqualitiesParliamentary Procedure
Government Response
On behalf of Mr Speaker and other Deputy Speakers, I echo the words of Guy Opperman and Elliot Colburn in wishing a very happy Easter to everyone who works here to ensure that our democracy progresses. The Minister for Buses expresses concern over bus losses in Carshalton and Wallington due to the Mayor's mismanagement. He acknowledges limited power to intervene but urges constituents to use their ultimate power through voting. Discusses ongoing difficulties with rail services, highlighting improvements such as additional carriages on trains from June 2024. Emphasises importance of Access for All applications and commitment to future announcements. Debunks myths about ULEZ, addressing negative impacts on the economy and public sector workers. Suggests future expansion plans by the Mayor are inevitable unless voters change their mind in May elections.
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