Erith and Thamesmead MP, John Austin has welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister's commitment to the Thames Gateway and the contribution it can make to provide the housing and jobs that London needs.

John Austin said: London and the Thames gateway desperately need affordable homes to tackle the crisis of recruitment and retention of public servants such as nurses, teachers and social workers. In the short-term there needs to be a massive increase in London Weighting to compensate for increased housing costs in London and the south-east, in the medium and long term we need to provide moiré affordable housing.

“Most of that housing should be provided on brownfield sites in regeneration areas, but sustainable development means providing efficient public transport services. The priorities which need action now if the plans are to succeed are to get the Waterfront Transit up and running from Greenwich North Jubilee Line Station to Thamesmead and Abbey Wood and an early decision to take it further to Belvedere and beyond; to approve the building of CrossRail through the Royal Docks in Newham, which has the largest capacity for providing both the jobs and houses that London needs, through to Woolwich and Abbey Wood, and an early decision to take it further to Ebbsfleet; and to build the Docklands Light Railway extension to Woolwich, preferably with a spur to Thamesmead.

“Thames Gateway has the capacity to provide the housing and jobs but the project will fail without adequate public transport services.”