Transport Minister Derek Twigg MP and Douglas Oakervee OBE, Chairman of Cross London Rail Links Ltd (CLRL), recently met young gifted and talented students with their plans for a hypothetical London to Cambridge railway.
The event took place at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in London, following an innovative five workshop series called 'Parliament in Action', designed to engage young people with the political process and encourage creative thinking within their National Curriculum studies.
It was organised by CLRL, as part of its Young Crossrail education programme, along with London Gifted and Talented, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, and the Parliamentary Education Unit.
London Gifted & Talented is a Government-backed initiative that supports gifted and talented students and their teachers, and in particular, under-achieving and disadvantaged students.
Transport Minister Derek Twigg meets students
The Minister presented certificates to students for completing the course
Stephen Brice, Crossrail education consultant (right) explains the course to the Minister, with Douglas Oakervee, Crossrail Executive Chairman (second right) and Keith Berryman, Crossrail Managing Director, Bill (left)
Ian Rathbone, Crossrail education programme manager, shows other aspects of the programme to the Minister
The students were set the task of planning the legislation to allow a hypothetical new railway to be built between London and Cambridge, one of the most overcrowded routes on Britain's rail network. Crossrail's own experts provided direct support and advice to help the students create effective proposals.
The project has enabled the young people involved to meet MPs, officials and lobbyists, including senior civil servants, staff from Crossrail, and a Barrister from the Landmark Chambers. Students have also visited the Royal Courts of Justice, a Barrister's Chamber and the Houses of Parliament – where the Crossrail Select Committee is meeting to hear petitions to the Crossrail Bill.
Ends
Issued 30 June 2006
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