Crossrail

Wednesday 23rd February 2005 at 12:12 AM

Transport secretary Alistair Darling has introduced a bill giving the go-ahead to the long-awaited Crossrail scheme.

The delayed legislation, introduced to the House of Commons on Tuesday, would provide a fast cross-London rail link extending from Maidenhead, Berkshire to the west of the capital, out to Shenfield, Essex to the east.

It will also link HeathrowAirport to CanaryWharf via the City, with a journey time of just 40 minutes.

Government Response: Department for Transport

Alistair Darling, secretary of state for transport, said: "The case for Crossrail is clear, and the government has long said that it is committed to the scheme. Last July, when I gave the go ahead for Crossrail, I said that we would be introducing a bill for the project, and today sees that vital next stage.

"Crossrail will significantly improve travel into and across the centre of the capital. It will bring huge benefits to the British economy as a whole and be a catalyst for regeneration in the east of London.

"Introducing a bill for the project after years of uncertainty represents a major step forward. It is also another example of the government taking decisions now, not just for today but for generations to come. It will anticipate the pressures on our transport system in 10 or 20 years."

Stakeholder Response: Crossrail

Norman Haste, chief executive of Cross London Rail Links Ltd, said: "There has been much hard work by all our teams to produce the documentation necessary, particularly the considerable number of specialist teams working on the environmental statement.

"But we've got there and I hope that what is being presented will match the many expectations and hopes expressed to us by the public and stakeholders."

Stakeholder Response: London Retail Consortium

David Southwell, director of the London Retail Consortium, said: "Retailers in London will need to see evidence that Crossrail will be paid for by a fair revenue generating scheme that puts the largest cost burdens on those that stand to benefit the most.

"Anyone who suggests that London's business community is unified in backing plans based on any form of universal business levy obviously haven't talked to or listened to London's retailers.

"On this basis, retailers would pay a disproportionate cost for little or no direct benefit - unlike the property and financial sectors.

"The government and others must not portray Crossrail as a magic bullet. It cannot solve all of London's transport infrastructure problems. Nor can it be used as an excuse for ignoring London's existing transport needs not catered for by the route of Crossrail.

"The Treasury needs to get serious about London's transport problems and be prepared to shoulder more of the cost for a project which stands to benefit UK plc."

Stakeholder Response: Transport for London

Bob Kiley, transport commissioner, said: "Today’s [Tuesday's] news that the government’s Crossrail bill has been published is an important step towards delivering this vital project. Crossrail is needed to deliver the future growth of London, support the creation of hundreds of thousands of new jobs and secure London’s position as the world’s leading financial centre.

"Crossrail, coupled with TfL's £10 billion five year investment programme, shows that London’s transport is finally receiving the attention it deserves. Crossrail will be the biggest transport project in the capital for a generation and TfL is ready to help drive it forward."

Stakeholder Response: Construction Products Association

Chris Bennett, external affairs executive at the Construction Products Association, said: "The association is pleased to see that the Crossrail Bill has now had its first reading in Parliament. The 10 year transport plan in 2000 crucially identified a 'new east -west rail link, such as Crossrail' across London as a vital component to sustain London's economic growth and take pressure off the existing underground system.

"It is therefore somewhat depressing that it has taken five years for the government to get a Crossrail Bill before parliament.

"The need for investment is nowhere more evident than in London, where there is already serious overcrowding, with over three million journeys a day on the London Underground - more than the entire rail network in the UK.

"As recommended in its recent report, 'Achievable targets? Is government delivering?', the Association believes that the government must now set targets for the delivery of Crossrail in the period up to 2015 and provide the necessary funding and leadership to ensure that the project is delivered."

Stakeholder Response: Corporation of London

Michael Snyder, chairman of policy and resources for the Corporation of London said:"London needs Crossrail; the United Kingdom needs Crossrail! When it is delivered it will be good news for all those who benefit from the City's thriving financial services industry.

"Today's Bill is tangible proof that the government wants Crossrail as much as businesses wants Crossrail and we are glad that plans are being taken off the drawing board and turned into reality. The City has waited for this day for more than a decade.

"Crossrail is the most important new transport infrastructure in the UK in the last 30 years and will make an immense difference to London's credibility as a place to do international business

"Detailed plans for construction are just emerging and will need local amendments to tackle issues raised by local groups.

"City residents and businesses have some serious concerns about some of the construction plans.

"Crossrail will help underpin thousands of jobs in the City and will be worth tens of billions of pounds in business and, in time, billions in taxes for the whole of the UK."

Crossrail

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