London’s mayor to work with UK government on “fair” funding model for Crossrail 2

2677
Photo: Crossrail.
Listen to this article

Britain’s Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, have said they will work together to progress Crossrail 2.

In a joint announcement this morning, Chris Grayling gave his backing to the project but said it needed to be “fair to the UK taxpayer”.

London will be expected to take on at least half of the construction cost, which is currently hovering around the £30 billion mark, the Department for Transport (DfT) has said.

Crossrail 2 is a proposed suburban/commuter railway connecting North East London and Hertfordshire with South West London and Surrey. The project requires a 38km twin-bore tunnel beneath the capital and the core route includes stations at Euston St Pancras, Tottenham Court Road, Victoria, Clapham Junction and Wimbledon.

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.”

Since its ommission from the Queen’s Speech, there have been calls for the government to demonstrate its commitment to Crossrail 2.

However, the announcement comes just a few days after Grayling announced the cancellation of several electrification projects around the rest of the country, renewing the debate arout the level of transport infrastructure spending in the capital compared to the rest of the country.

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.”


Read more: UK ditches electrification plans in Wales, the Midlands and the North


Previous articleConstruction contract awarded for Adelaide tram extension
Next articleRussian Railways reconstructs 35km stretch of Serbian railway