Where do the main parties stand on transport?

Transport is still high on the political agenda in the build-up to the general election - ash clouds and rail strikes see to that.

In London there is far more reliance on public transport than elsewhere in the country.

The main differences in policy in London between the three main parties are over Heathrow, high speed rail and, to some extent, Crossrail.

Heathrow

Heathrow is the issue where it is easiest to see clear water between the parties.

Labour want a third runway with strict environmental limits for pollution and noise - even though most of their candidates, particularly those standing for election near Heathrow, are opposed to it.

The party is supported by many unions and the business and aviation community.

And there is a significant number of people living locally who want expansion.

One in 10 people in Hayes, west London, work at Heathrow.

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats would scrap the third runway.

Both say the noise and the pollution would wreck lives, as would the demolition of the village of Sipson where there are 700 homes.

They are supported by a strong coalition of local councils, environmentalists and residents.

Both sides claim the other is wrong in terms of economic benefit and environmental benefit.

High Speed Rail

Labour have set out their support for a high speed railway to the north, with trains travelling at 250mph.

The scheme is also part of the Conservative manifesto, with the Lib Dems saying they would set up an infrastructure bank to invest in public transport.

But the Conservatives and Labour disagree over the route. The most detailed plan is from Labour.

It has the main terminal at Euston with the route arcing under Camden to a hub near Wormwood scrubs.

It would then head along the route of the A40, just to the south of Amersham.

While many can see the benefits of high speed rail travel, many residents along the route have concerns over blighted properties and the prospect of disruption caused by construction.

The Conservatives do not have as much detail in their plan, but they favour a previous route planned by the firm Arup.

In their manifesto they state they will "focus on making Heathrow better not bigger, bringing it directly into our high speed rail network" which means other properties on whatever the route would be into Heathrow, would also be blighted.

The cost could be up to £20bn and with funding already squeezed there are commentators who are sceptical we will ever see high speed rail become a reality.

Crossrail

Labour say they will guarantee funding for the £16bn east-west line through London, as do the Liberal Democrats.

However while the Conservative manifesto says it "supports Crossrail" they will not guarantee funding until they have been through the books. This means that, as they have admitted, it might be scrapped.

The Mayor of London's office says it understands why the party leader David Cameron cannot give a 100% cast iron financial guarantee.

Trains

Differences in rail policy are harder to detect but they do exist.

The Liberal Democrats say they would change the rail fares formula that sets ticket prices.

Contracts with train companies would be changed so regulated fares would fall behind inflation by 1% each year.

They would also make Network Rail refund a third of your ticket price if you have to take a replacement bus service.

The Conservatives would give longer franchises to railway companies. They think that would increase investment from the train operating companies.

They would also turn the rail regulator into a passenger champion.

Labour wants to carry on "enhancing" the rail network with further electrification of lines and increasing capacity with projects like Thameslink.

They also want to simplify ticketing.

Funding

Some say the real elephant in the room is the issue of funding.

If transport budgets are cut by whoever gets into Downing Street it could have a knock-on effect on London's infrastructure investment.

What could that mean? Could the tube upgrade be cut back? Could Crossrail become less extensive?

Would we see some of Boris Johnson's key projects like the new Routemaster bus parked in the long-grass?

At the moment we simply do not know.

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