THE new chair of the London Assembly has fired a warning shot about protecting the �16bn Crossrail project. Dee Doocey hinted that the fight was on to protect the vital super tube’ project

By Mike Brooke

THE new chair of the London Assembly has fired a warning shot on her first day in office about protecting the �16 billion Crossrail project.

Former Liberal parliamentary group advisor Dee Doocey, who was elected chair at today’s annual meeting at City Hall, hinted that with the new Government at Westminster the fight was on to protect London’s vital super tube’ project linking Canary Wharf and Heathrow.

She said: “It is more important than ever that London has a strong voice at this changing time in our national political landscape and powerful advocates to make the case for funding vital projects like Crossrail.

“We are determined to ensure that sound arguments for investing in London’s future do not go unheard.”

The Assembly is also continuing to challenge the 2012 Games team to on the long-term benefits promised when London bid to stage them, she warned.

Dee Doocey, the first Irish person to chair the Assembly since it was set up 10 years ago, ran her own management consultancy advising blue chip companies. She was previously managing director of an international fashion company in London and Hong Kong before giving up her business interests on being elected to the Assembly in 2004.

Jennette Arnold has been re-elected as Deputy Chair.