Ever since I became an MP I have campaigned for better public transport in Hackney. Women and the elderly are particularly dependent on public transport, and it has a key role to play in economic regeneration generally. I am myself a non-driver and use public transport so I am well aware of the need for good public transport.
One of my major concerns is that Hackney is still the only inner London borough without a tube or major rail link to central London. Luckily this is about to change. In 2012 London will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Hackney will be right in the heart of it all. I believe this is a unique opportunity to get Hackney moving. A modern and effective transport system will be the greatest legacy the Olympics could leave Hackney.
We have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform our poorest areas. The Games will inevitably drive economic regeneration by brining in new jobs, new homes but most importantly better public transport. Transportation is central to driving forward economic development in our area.
I have campaigned for years to bring the tube to Hackney because I believe it to be crucial for improving the Borough. Now we're getting it. Transport for London has committed a huge investment to the CTRL and Crossrail. The tube, in the form of the East London Line, will finally reach us by 2009 through Shoreditch, Hoxton, Haggerston and Dalston. The Mayor of London has taken over the running of the Northern Line, and will upgrade all the trains, tracks and stations on this line. The services will improve too with trains running eight every hour instead of the current four.
I have had several meetings with the Mayor's office as well as with Olympics officials to ensure that Hackney transport reaps the maximum benefit from the Olympics.