MPs Urge Government To Support Crossrail 2

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In a plea for "crucial" support for nationwide benefit


Crossrail 2's planned route through London

A cross-party alliance of nearly 60 MPs has written to Chancellor Philip Hammond and Secretary of Transport Chris Grayling to warn that Crossrail 2 has now reached a "crucial stage".

In the letter they warn that the project is of "transformative" and "national significance" and "urgently needs ministers' backing in order to progress". The letter points out that "London has shown in detail it can pay directly for half the cost of Crossrail 2", but that the £30 billion project now needs "national support as a scheme that will generate funds to the Exchequer that more than cover its costs".

Mayor Sadiq Khan said, "The Government cannot ignore the growing national demand for it to back Crossrail 2. The fact that more than 50 MPs from across the country have crossed political lines to join together shows just how important the project is for the whole nation."

The cross-party group included MPs from as far afield as Newcastle and Portsmouth who agree that Crossrail 2 will transform journey times and connectivity, creating jobs and supporting the building of new homes, as well as relieving serious transport over-crowding.

Government backing will allow Transport for London (TfL) to develop the railway's design in order to submit a bill to Parliament for permission to begin construction. Passengers would be able to use the services by 2033 when demand is predicted to be even greater than it is today.

In March councils across London and the South East, including Wandsworth, also urged ministers to press ahead with the project.

The Government has also received a letter from significant housebuilding and property development firms including the Berkeley Group, Taylor Wimpey and Peabody asking for ministers to back Crossrail 2.

April 25, 2017