Campaigners lobbying for a Woolwich Crossrail station have received a huge boost following a House of Commons select committee decision. Reporter SAMANTHA PAYNE finds out more.

IT HAS been long and arduous but the two-year campaign to put Woolwich on the Crossrail route has finally paid off.

Greenwich Council, residents and the business community scored a result when the Crossrail select committee announced its support to reintroduce Woolwich station into the plans for the £10bn scheme.

The committee first met in January to consider the 500 petitions to the Crossrail Hybrid Bill.

The council gave its evidence in May in support of Crossrail but against the decision to remove Woolwich from earlier plans for the scheme.

The Crossrail project is due to be completed by 2013 and proposes to link east and west London and go as far as Maidenhead, Berkshire.

There will be two lines operating as Crossrail with a proposed Woolwich station on line one.

The council argued Woolwich Crossrail station would enable the delivery of the largest housing contribution of any station on the Crossrail route and create thousands of jobs.

On July 25, the select committee announced it was "clearly convinced of the essential need for a Crossrail station in Woolwich" which it says will provide "exceptional value for money".

In September, it will submit a report to the Government to make the necessary amendments to the bill, which will be debated in both houses before becoming law next year.

Speaking after the announcement at the Royal Arsenal site last Tuesday, council leader councillor Chris Roberts said: "This is a great day for thousands of people, for future jobs, homes and prosperity.

"I am thankful and encouraged the select committee has taken on board our very strong arguments for the regeneration of Woolwich and also what Woolwich can offer the growth of the economy as a whole.

"I am delighted for the hundreds of people, businesses and organisations of all sizes and our MPs, partners and friends who have continued to support the case for Woolwich.

"We have still got a lot of work to do in persuading Government ministers and continuing the support from businesses and the public for the campaign."

Greenwich and Woolwich MP Nick Raynsford said: "I look forward to working over the coming months with the council, Crossrail and the business community to ensure both the success of the project and a brighter economic future for Woolwich.

"The committee has clearly recognised the very strong case for the Woolwich station in a deprived area ripe for economic regeneration and with vital transport links into the Thames Gateway."

He added: "The station will enable south east London to benefit hugely from the Crossrail project, which is vital to the long-term success of London's economy.

"I am very grateful to the many people who have supported our campaign over the past year to reinstate the Woolwich station."

The campaign was formed in partnership between Greenwich Council, the three Greenwich MPs, residents and the business community.

They organised petitions and roadshows to inform the public about the benefits of bringing a Crossrail station to Woolwich and set up a promotional video via the council website.

Docklands Business Club chairman Rita Beckith, who represents 500 companies in east London, said: "We have given our support from the beginning of the campaign and helped with the promotional video.

"We welcome the regeneration of south London as it has always suffered from poor transport links.

"What I have seen in Docklands will happen here where many businesses will be attracted to the area.

"This is an historic day for Greenwich."