Bob wrote

If the majority of the residents of West London want to sit in
traffic
jams - they have the democratic right to do so. It has always struck
me
as odd that the West London scheme should be second on the list after
Croydon. Wouldn't the Cross River Link have a bigger economic impact?

But if what the "majority of the current residents don't want" is key,
what has the economic impact to do with it ?

Those who merely work there or pass through are to be ignored ?

Taking into account those who would find it convenient to shop there
but find the congestion too bad is not democratic ?

On your version of the constitution our multi level government might be
debarred on democratic grounds from building any new or improved Thames
crossing road, bridge or tunnel in the area betweenbetween Staines and
Kingston ?
(The Walton-on-Thames residents association had been opposing any but a
narrow, low weight limit Thames crossing for twenty years)

--
Mike D