Lynne Featherstone

Big transport day for me. Apart from informal meeting of Transport Committee in the morning – at which I was trying to get my colleagues to sign off a variety of issues – I was chairing a tram seminar from 1pm to 7pm and then hosting a reception.

The transport community of London was invited (and came) and the speakers covered many of the issues around trying to fund, obtain patronage, obtain local consensus and deliver these major infrastructure projects in our capital city. Absolutely fascinating stuff.

This seminar is a way of really raising issues for debate. Trams or other modal choices like guided busways or trolley buses are causing absolute havoc where proposed – like the West London Tram. The Assembly Transport Committee holds these seminars to try and take the debate out of the political fire and look at the complexity of trying to get transport choices right and supported for major new projects.

At the end – rushed to the reception. Guess what? Matthew Pincent (of gold rowing fame) was wandering around. He was about a foot taller than anyone else in the room, and dressed in regulation sports blazer with well groomed hair. I went across to him:

“Matthew – welcome! But are you here for the Olympic Bid reception?”

“Yes – thank you – it’s very nice.”

“It’s very nice – but this is the tram reception. Olympics is on the 9th floor.”

He beat a graceful retreat. Shame – but there you are.