PRESS RELEASE

30 July 2003

OTTAWAY CALLS ON MAYOR TO CONFIRM START DATE FOR COULSDON RELIEF ROAD

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South has asked Mayor Ken Livingstone to confirm press reports that work on the long-awaited Coulsdon Relief Road has been postponed for at least another 6 months because income from the central London congestion charge is lower than forecast (see letter below).

Richard Ottaway says:-

"I find it painfully ironic that a road-building scheme to reduce congestion in outer London is put on hold due to the failure of the central London congestion charge."

"My constituents have been waiting literally years for the Coulsdon Relief Road which will do much to improve a large part of South Croydon. They will be incensed that this scheme is to be put on hold because of the mayor's obsession with his central London pet project."

"I have written to the Mayor asking him to confirm when construction on the Coulsdon Relief Road will begin."

Ends.

For further information please call 020 7219 6392.

Mr Ken Livingstone
Mayor of London
City Hall
The Queen's Walk
London
SE1 2AA

30 July 2003

Dear Ken

Coulsdon Relief Road

I am astonished to read in the press that work on the Coulsdon Relief Road is to be postponed due to lower than expected income from congestion charging. I am sure that the irony of the situation is not lost on you: a long-awaited road-building scheme to reduce congestion in outer London is put on hold due to the failure of the central London congestion charge.

I would be most grateful for your confirmation that these press reports are accurate. I would also be grateful if you could confirm the new start date for work on the Coulsdon Relief Road.

Yours sincerely