Jubilee line extension heads for the buffers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Transport sources say that plans to extend the Jubilee Underground line to Canary Wharf could be shelved after a Cabinet meeting this Thursday, writes Richard Thomson.
A row between the Treasury and John MacGregor, the Secretary of State for Transport, is expected to erupt in meetings this week which will decide whether the Government puts up more than pounds 1bn for the project.
A Cabinet committee, chaired by Lord Wakeham and charged with sorting out the problems at Canary Wharf, is meeting on Tuesday to consider the latest funding offer for the Jubilee line by the banks that now control the Docklands development. The matter is then expected to go to the Cabinet on Thursday, when a decision on whether to go ahead with the pounds 1.6bn project may be made.
The banks put forward a proposal 10 days ago offering to pay pounds 400m towards the project, providing the Government agreed to move a large number of civil servants to Canary Wharf. The scheme has the backing of the Department of Transport, but Treasury officials opposed it.
They are arguing that the banks have no right to put conditions on their contribution, but observers believe the Treasury objections are even more fundamental and that the underground extension is earmarked to be part of massive cuts in public spending planned by the Government. Failure to build the extension will dash hopes of attracting new tenants to Canary Wharf.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments