Rifkind - Fingers crossed for Crossrail

Whatever the short run disruption, the benefits are bound to be long lasting.

However while the project itself is now underway - contracts were recently placed to order to drilling equipment - the potential benefits for Kensington have yet to be finalised.

There will of course be many indirect advantages that will flow from having a more effective public transport system.

Yet these would be dramatically enhanced if there were to be a station in the north of the Borough, close to Kensal Green Cemetery.

The construction of a Crossrail station are clear would bring tremendous benefits to the local area.

Considerable efforts have been already been undertaken to regenerate the northern part of the Borough in recent years, as seen with the plans to construct an Academy school.

Establishing a Crossrail station would further these efforts, and strengthen the local community's links with central London, by providing a direct line to both Paddington and Heathrow.

There is also a realistic prospect of the project coming to pass.

The Council has already pledged to cover its costs, a vacant site has been identified, and I have had productive meetings with the leaders of the Crossrail project.

They are not adverse to the idea, provided it does not delay the overall timetable of the project, or disrupt the proposed timetable of trains.

Yet more needs to be done. The Department of Transport and Transport for London both need to be won over.

However support for this scheme is growing, especially in Kensington, and I hope that these efforts will result in a positive outcome.