Kingston University's suburban chief calls for investment in public transport (From Surrey Comet)

Kingston University's suburban chief calls for investment in public transport

7:00am Thursday 19th March 2009 in News By David Lindsell

The country’s expert on suburbia has called for more Government investment in transport in Kingston and Surbiton, so she and others like her can cut down her commute.

Dr Vesna Goldsworthy, director of the UK’s first Centre for Suburban Studies, based at Kingston University, spoke on the publication of a new report calling for more investment in the suburbs of London.

It takes her an hour-and-a-half using public transport to get from her home in Chiswick to work.

She said: “It would be quicker to walk or cycle. The transport system is like spokes on a wheel but we need it to be radial so we can move from suburb to suburb.

“Suburbs are more and more self sufficient. Like in Kingston, with a theatre, office space and shops. The system operates like we are all Reginald Perrins going to Waterloo when in fact that hasn’t been the case for 20 years.”

The report by lobbying body London Councils entitled Successful Suburbs said the edges of London were no longer leafy, white middle class residential areas and had potential to take advantage when the recession ends.