Crossrail Act 2008

On July 20 2004 Alistair Darling announced that the government would introduce a hybrid Bill “at the earliest opportunity to take the powers necessary for Crossrail to be built”.

The Bill made little progress in parliament following its introduction in February 2005, before a special carry-over motion was applied, enabling it to continue where it left off once a new parliament was in place.

The Crossrail Bill will enable the construction, maintenance and operation of Crossrail, a new east-west rail link in central London.

The Bill follows a feasibility study led by Adrian Montague set to evaluate the value and affordability of the project. The study backed the plans in principle but warned about the rising costs.

Under the Bill, Crossrail will provide a new fleet of trains, operating a 24 times an hour peak service in both directions through central London.

This will significantly increase the capacity of the rail network into and across London, relieve congestion and overcrowding, meet demand and improve accessibility.

In addition, public transport access to Heathrow airport will be greatly enhanced, and Liverpool Street will be able to handle many more passengers travelling to and from Stansted airport.

Funding for the project will be taken forward in parallel to the development and introduction of the Bill.

2004/05 Session

House of Commons

First reading: February 22 2005 [HC Bill 62]

Carry-over motion: April 7 2005

2005/06 Session

Re-introduction: May 18 2005 [HC Bill 1]

Second reading: July 19 2005

Special Select Committee: January 17 2006 (to be concluded)

Carry-over motion: October 31 2006

2006/07 Session

Re-introduction and second reading: November 16 2006 [HC Bill 2]

Special Select Committee:

• 1st sitting: January 16 2007
• 2nd sitting: January 17 2007
• 3rd sitting: January 18 2007
• 4th sitting: January 25 2007
• 5th sitting: January 30 2007
• 6th sitting: January 31 2007
• 7th sitting: January 31 2007
• 8th sitting: January 31 2007
• 9th sitting: February 8 2007
• 10th sitting: February 20 2007
• 11th sitting: February 21 2007
• 12th sitting: February 27 2007
• 13th sitting: March 1 2007
• 14th sitting: March 13 2007
• 15th sitting: March 14 2007
• 16th sitting: March 20 2007
• 17th sitting: March 22 2007
• 18th sitting: March 28 2007
• 19th sitting: July 10 2007
• 20th sitting: October 9 2007
• Bill as amended: HC Bill 163

Session 2007/08

Re-introduction and First reading: November 8 2007 [HC Bill 5]

Crossrail Bill Committee:

• 1st sitting: November 22 2007 (am)
• 2nd sitting: November 22 2007 (pm)
• 3rd sitting: November 27 2007 (am)
• 4th sitting: November 27 2007 (pm)

Bill as amended: HC Bill 10

Remaining stages: December 13 2007

House of Lords

First reading: December 14 2007 [HL Bill 14]

Second reading: January 9 2008

Special Select Committee:

• 1st day: February 19 2008
• 2nd day: February 20 2008
• 3rd day: February 26 2008
• 4th day: February 27 2008
• 5th day: February 28 2008
• 6th day: March 3 2008
• 7th day: March 4 2008
• 8th day: March 5 2008
• 9th day: March 10 2008
• 10th day: March 11 2008
• 11th day: March 12 2008
• 12th day: March 13 2008
• 13th day: March 17 2008
• 14th day: March 18 2008
• 15th day: March 19 2008
• 16th day: March 20 2008
• 17th day: March 26 2008
• 18th day: April 1 2008
• 19th day: April 2 2008
• 20th day: April 3 2008
• 21st day: April 21 2008
• 22nd day: April 21 2008
• 23rd day: April 29 2008
• 24th day: April 30 2008
• 25th day: May 1 2008
• 26th day: May 2 2008
• 27th day: May 6 2008
• 28th day: May 7 2008
• 29th day: May 8 2008
• Bill as amended [Bill 61]
  

 Re-Commitment to Grand Committe: June 27 2008 [HL Bill 70]

Report stage: July 16 2008

Third reading: July 22 2008

Consideration of Lords Amendments: July 22 2008

Royal Assent: July 22 2008