Crossrail must ‘move beyond consultation’
The government is being urged to stop consulting and start making progress with the Crossrail project.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Tom Brake wants the government to “move beyond continuous consultations and discussion” on the high-speed east to west London rail link.
City leaders, meanwhile, are urging MPs to ensure it is delivered “in the right way”.
The calls come ahead of the second reading of the Crossrail bill, which returns to parliament this week.
Speaking before the debate, Mr Brake said: “Alistair Darling needs to give clear indication of when questions over funding will be resolved. We need to move beyond continuous consultations and discussion.
“Network Rail have expressed serious concerns over who will be responsible for the running and maintenance of the Crossrail network. The management of Crossrail must not compromise the effective integration of the metropolitan railway lines around London.”
The Corporation of London, which represents London’s financial district, wants to ensure the details of the project are right for the City.
“London needs Crossrail and the UK needs Crossrail so we welcomed the second reading as a sign of the government’s commitment, but now MPs have to ensure the right Crossrail is delivered in the right way,” said Michael Snyder, chairman of the corporation’s policy and resources committee.
The corporation is submitting a petition to government ensure that the construction of the rail link causes as little disruption as possible to City businesses and residents.
“Crossrail is a vital large-scale project that will bring immense benefits to the business and wider community in terms of relief from over-crowding and better access but it needs informed public backing from day one and getting answers to legitimate concerns about construction is important, too,” he added.
Once the bill has cleared its second reading, it passes to a House of Commons select committee for a year-long inquiry expected to begin in October.
Crossrail is viewed by its supporters as essential to London’s competitiveness.
