31/07/2017
Crossrail 2 go ahead
Crossrail 2 gets backing
by londonsc
The Mayor of London, and the Secretary of State for Transport have confirmed support for Crossrail 2.
The project, which would increase capacity and reliability across the West Anglia network, has taken a major step forward. There had been dissappointment that it was not mentioned in the recent Queen’s Speech, and fears that it would stall amid government preference for investment in the north of England.
Last week the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan had what they describe in a joint statement as a productive meeting to discuss the way forward for Crossrail 2. They agreed that there is no doubt London needs new infrastructure to support its growth and ensure it continues as the UK’s economic powerhouse – boosting productivity and attracting investment.
While London has shown how it could pay for half of the scheme over its life, the Mayor and Transport Secretary want to see how London could fund half of the scheme during construction – in other words making a cash contribution in advance, instead of in arrears. They agree on the need to ensure a funding package which works for both London and the rest of the country and recognises other priorities, but also delivers the new capacity and connectivity that London needs.
They agreed a way forward in the coming months to examine ways to improve affordability while maximising the key benefits of the scheme, learning lessons from Crossrail 1, ahead of this autumn’s Budget.
Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling said: “I am a supporter of Crossrail 2 but given its price tag we have to ensure that we get this right. The Mayor and I have agreed to work together on it over the coming months to develop plans that are as strong as possible, so that the public gets an affordable scheme that is fair to the UK taxpayer. Following a successful outcome being reached I am keen to launch a fresh public consultation to help gather views to improve the scheme and clarify the position around the safeguarded route.”
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “Crossrail 2 is essential for the future prosperity of London and the south east, so I’m pleased that the Transport Secretary and I have reached an agreement to take this vital project forward. We will continue to work together to ensure the project is value for money and provides the maximum benefits for jobs and growth in the region over the coming decades. I look forward to moving to the next stage of consultation.”
Cllr Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of Essex County Council and London Stansted Cambridge Consortium deputy chair for infrastructure said: “I am delighted to hear that the London mayor and the transport secretary have agreed to work together to make Crossrail 2 happen. This new railway is vital to the success of the UK’s innovation corridor, linking Cambridge to London, which will boost the UK economy and bring forward thousands of new homes and jobs in places such as Enfield, Tottenham, Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford as well as Stansted, Europe’s fastest growing major airport.”
Sir Alan Haselhurst, chair of the West Anglia Taskforce said: “This is a tremendous breakthrough and the agreement to work together, by the Mayor and the Secretary of State for Transport will boost the hopes of businesses, academia, commuters and airport passengers that the West Anglia route, expanded and linked into Crossrail 2’s central and southern destinations will be able to fulfill it’s true potential as a conduit for innovation, growth and prosperity as far as Cambridge and beyond.”