One of the most influential people involved in the development of a public transport system for London will address a rail users group next week.

Dave Wetzel vice chair of Transprt for London and Mayor Ken Livingstone's right-hand man on transport matters will be speaking a Barking Town Hall on Tuesday 20 February at 1915.

He will be introducing the mayor's transport strategy which has just been finalised as a consultaive document.

The event is organised by the Barking-Gospel Oak Line rail users.
"We hope he will be able to indicate what the mayor can do for lines like ours," said a spokesman, "bearing in mind that regrettably he does not have direct control over London's overground rail network."

As well as local managers from Silverlink and Railtrack, Silverlink's strategy and development director Richard Eccles has also been invited. The group hopes to find out the latest news on the refranchising front and its implications.