A DECISION on Ken Livingstone's new rail plans will be delivered by Transport Minister Alistair Dowling in the next few weeks, according to Crossrail, writes Sally Henfield.

The new Crossrail lines, a joint venture between Transport for London and the Strategic Rail Authority, aim to eliminate the problems caused by existing tracks reaching their limits of capacity. It is feared that without these additional rail routes overcrowding would become worse and the failing transport infrastructure would lead to businesses relocating to Europe.

Proposals for Crossrail Line one would result in a track running from Shenfield and Ebbfleet, through Paddington, and out to Heathrow and Kingston.

The track would also pass though Chiswick, where underground tunnelling would be needed to contain the track.

Many Chiswick residents are now waiting with baited breath for the Secretary of State's decision, as they fear the new track could cause disruption to both homes and businesses.

A Crossrail spokesman said: "As far as we know the Minister supports Crossrail. He is just taking his time to make his decision. It could be any time in the next few weeks."

A consultation will follow the announcement, although GLA elections will cause some disruption to the scheduling. Residents will then be able to visit information centres and make comments via telephone or email.

Crossrail is optimistic about local support for the plans, despite signs of public unrest: "Our actual consultation says differently. Some who are very vocal do not want it, but the majority want it and the council do too."

Indeed Councillor Adrian Lee agrees with the scheme, although he wants to keep disruption to a minimum: "In the broad sense most of us are supportive. We are supposed to have a guarantee that everything will be put back as it was, including the Green. There will be upheaval, but at the same time public transport needs to be updated."

However, business owners on Turnham Green Terrace are outraged, as the construction work will mean many will be subject to Compulsory Purchase Orders.

Shop owners are worried that these orders will not compensate for the many years they have put into building up their businesses.

Robert Boca, a partner at PR Hairdressing said: "I'm not too impressed personally. We are all in limbo because it hasn't been approved and until it is they have wiped away the value of my business. If it goes ahead I will be looking for compensation."

Others feel that the area will lose some of its originality. Achille Milanesi, manager of Indigo Delicafe, said: "This is one of the buildings they will have to pull down and Chiswick will lose one of its specialist shops.

"Our business is growing so it would be a pity to be pulled down in five years time and a big disappointment for the customers because they have found a good place to have a meal or a coffee. Turnham Green Terrace is a row of specialist shops, that's what it's all about. Something of Chiswick will die if these plans go ahead"

Work in Chiswick is estimated to be complete by 2012, although locals fear it would take much longer. Hassan Amany, owner of Mr Kleen dry cleaners, said: "We are all going to fight to the end to stop this madness, which will be going on for 10 or 12 years. It will destroy the whole community and the shops from here to Chiswick High Road.

"If we had an active government they would have done something about the existing underground. If the government spent a fraction of tax payers' money on London underground then we wouldn't need any of this chaos, disrupting businesses all over Chiswick and causing hundreds of houses to subside."

Spencer Wheeler, owner of Wheeler's of Turnham Green, agreed, adding: "They will need to shut the road for years. It's going to cause a lot of congestion."

However, over in Brentford, residents are angry that the Crossrail's plans don't include them.

William Bell-Chambers said: "This is an up and coming area, why would you skip an area like this? The whole area is being developed, especially the marina. Why by pass it?"

W A L Iperis echoed these thoughts: "They will lose money if they don't come here. Everything is run for profit, so to harness maximum productivity they should connect to Brentford. It is the most economic area in the borough. Its development has taken it from idle buildings to setting up new houses, shops and various other investments."

Despite this ongoing regeneration, Brentford remains unconnected to the tube network, as Cynthia Joseph pointed out: "Of course it should come to Brentford. We don't even have a tube station. At the moment, you have to get a bus.

"Everything is along the main road; we are close to Chiswick, Kew and Heathrow, so why not stop here?"

Robert Albert Harris was not impressed with the time scale of the scheme: "I will be 64 by the time they complete the tracks.

"I would like it to come through Brentford as it would make travelling around much easier."

Unfortunately, Crossrail are not able to consider Brentford at this present moment. Their spokesman added: "We would be a hostage to fortune to say yes, but once the network is built we can keep extending it. At the moment the cost benefit ratio is not substantial enough. However, there will be an improved integration of other services in the area."

You can have your say on the Crossrail plans by emailing helpdesk@crossrail.co.uk or telephoning their help line on 0845 602 3813.