Prescott opens new Docklands rail link

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott travelled by train and Tube today to open the new Docklands Light Railway link between Tower Bridge and Lewisham, south-east London.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott travelled by train and Tube today to open the new Docklands Light Railway link between Tower Bridge and Lewisham, south-east London.

Mr Prescott credited the early opening of the extension to the success of public and private partnerships.

"This is a system for the future of what public transport can and should be," he said.

"All systems take a little time to bed in, but what we've established here now is the essential way forward to a good integrated transport system for London.

"It's an outstanding example of public and private sectors working together to produce a major transport project."

Reduced journey times and more choice for passengers would encourage people to use their cars less and public transport more.

The new link would bring benefits to Greenwich, he went on, adding: "As soon as you have the transport links, generation and re-generation will follow from that and will bring jobs to the area."