CONSERVATIVE uncertainty about the future of Crossrail has brought dire warnings about how it will affect Hayes.

In an interview with London radio station LBC, Justine Greening, transport spokeswoman for the Conservatives, said she could give no guarantees that the £15.9billion project would continue under Tory rule, and when asked whether it could be scrapped, she replied: "It's possible."

She also said the party thinks the project is important and that 'clarity and certainty' would come should the Tories be elected on May 6.

John McDonnell, the Hayes and Harlington Labour candidate, said: "This is really worrying now.

"I have worked to achieve cross-party consensus on Crossrail because of the benefits it will bring to our local economy, with more local jobs.

"Now the Conservatives are putting this scheme at risk.

"This would be a real economic disaster for Hayes."

Crossrail will provide a high-speed link between Berkshire and Essex, with stops at key locations in central London.

Hayes and Harlington, Heathrow and Liverpool Street stations would be served by the line. There will also be rail and Tube interchanges, designed to make inner-city travel quicker and easier.

It is estimated the project would give the economy a £36bn boost.

Construction is due to start this year.

David Brough, chairman of the Hayes Town Partnership, said cancellation of the project would be a body blow to the town. "Crossrail is vital to the long-term development of Hayes," he said.

"If there is a new government and it wants to review spending commitments, I am confident that the strength of the economic case for Crossrail will speak for itself.

"As chairman of the partner-ship, I will be doing everything in my power to argue that it is just the sort of investment that is needed to get the national economy moving and also to build on the position of Hayes as the best-connected town in west London."

Scott Seaman-Digby, the Conservative candidate for Hayes and Harlington, said his party's manifesto was very clear.

"We support Crossrail and believe that it is an important piece of infrastructure for London.

"Justine Greening said that what we can't do before the election is write a budget when we are not in government.

"Until the Labour Party holds a comprehensive spending review, then its position is exactly the same as ours.

"Given the Labour Party has cancelled the next spending review until after the next election, we have no idea what the Department for Transport's budget will be under another Labour term."

* Do you think the plans are in danger of being scrapped? Email jackgriffith@trinitysouth.co.uk.