THE Government has been attacked for deciding not to include a station in Woolwich as part of the £16bn Crossrail network.

The decision, which was made last week by Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander, has been described as "shameful" by the area's MP Nick Raynsford.

And Greenwich Council leader Councillor Chris Roberts says people have been left "shocked and dismayed" by the decision not to build the £270m station.

The move will mean 2,300 extra jobs and 4,350 new homes will not be created and delay the regeneration of the area.

Greenwich Council, residents and the business community thought Woolwich would be put on the Crossrail route after a House of Commons' select committee gave its support on July 25.

The select committee announced it was "clearly convinced of the essential need for a Crossrail station in Woolwich".

Last month, it submitted its report to the Government to include Woolwich in the £16bn transport scheme, which is due to be completed sometime between 2015 and 2020.

But after considering the committee's recommendations, the Department of Transport has decided adding £270m to the cost of the Crossrail project is not "affordable" and has rejected the committee's decision.

Mr Raynsford, who represents Greenwich and Woolwich, has slammed the decision.

He said: "The Secretary of State's rejection of their unanimous recommendation is crass, short-sighted and shameful."

Cllr Roberts said: "It will set back the regeneration of the region and halt the development of thousands of new jobs and homes.

"It makes absolutely no economic sense at all and completely contradicts the findings of the select committee.

"On behalf of the many thousands of people, partner organisations and businesses who will be shocked and dismayed at this decision, I would urge the Government to think again.

"We ask them to put Woolwich back into the scheme and make the single biggest transport development in the capital in over a century into the most successful."

Responding to Cllr Roberts's plea, a Department of Transport spokesman said: "We've considered the decision very carefully but have concluded that this station would be unaffordable."

Former councillor for Abbey Wood Ismail Danesi, who was suspended from the Labour Party for criticising the council's campaign for a station at Woolwich, said: "I knew it wouldn't happen. It costs too much money and now £250,000 of taxpayers' money has been wasted on lobbying the Government for a station that's not going to happen."

WHAT IS CROSSRAIL?

  • The concept of Crossrail is to deliver a world-class, affordable railway, with a frequent and reliable train service across the capital by 2015.
  • Trains will stop at a total of 36 stations across west to east London, including Abbey Wood, and go as far as Maidenhead in Berkshire.
  • Crossrail is currently going through Parliament to obtain authority to build the railway.
  • The construction phase is due to start in 2008 and due for completion at the earliest by 2015.
  • It is estimated the benefit of Crossrail to the UK economy is £30 billion.