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Note. This is taken from an article in the Corportation of London magazine, 'City View'. While the article presents an accurate statement of the position on Crossrail ( as far as we are aware), the views expressed are those of the City of London and are not necessarily those of West London Friends of the Earth or other groups in west London.

The Crossrail project received one of its biggest boosts to date in November with the announcement in The Queen's Speech of the necessary Parliamentary Bill on the project and marks the closest it has come to fruition so far:

"My Government recognises the importance of modern, effective and safe transport to meet the needs of the public and the wider economy. A Bill will be brought forward to authorise the construction of Crossrail."

Crossrail failed to start twice during the 1990s because of the anticipated cost of the project and the issue of who would pay for it - but this time being a Hybrid Bill, rather than a Private Bill, means that it has the support of the
Government, and stands a much greater chance of going forward.

A Bill is hybrid if it affects both public and specific private interests but it still has to go through a series of Parliamentary procedures before the final stage of becoming an Act of Parliament and therefore giving permission for construction to begin. The Bill would include the layout of the proposed route, describe the construction work needed and identify areas of land (both temporary and permanent) required for work to be carried out.

The need for a cross London rail link is desperately required and long overdue. Transport is already under pressure in the City and has been cited in several surveys as the main factor that could affect the City's status as the world's leading international financial and business centre. In addition, it is expected that over 70,000 more people will be entering the City to work in the next decade, putting yet more strain on the already overburdened transport system. If constructed, Crossrail would alleviate current congestion, provide extra capacity to meet the anticipated growth in employment and London's population and generate a new revenue stream by linking together directly new areas of London.

But there still remain challenges ahead, such as the funding of the scheme as devised by Cross London Rail Links Ltd (a joint venture company owned by Transport for London and the Strategic Rail Authority). The Montague Review, commissioned by the Government to look at the project's feasibility and whose conclusions spurred the Transport Secretary Alistair Darling to make his July statement announcing plans for the Bill, estimates its full cost at a maximum of £l0bn.

To meet the potential funding needs a number of options are being explored while at the same time further detailed design work is being carried out on the project to ensure that overruns, such as those that occurred on the West Coast mainline and Jubilee line extension, do not occur. The Department for Transport has cited the Montague Review as independent validation of the proposals and pointed to the Channel Tunnel Rail link as a good example of how a project of this scale can be delivered to budget and on time.

In his July statement, the Secretary of State for Transport stated that "Government will need to work with the Mayor and the London business community to find a funding solution where everyone pays their fair share. This will include consulting on appropriate alternative funding mechanisms."

With this in mind, the Corporation's Policy and Resources Chairman Michael Snydor has been reviewing with others the implications of a 2-3% increase on the business rate. This could generate as much as £2bn towards the overall cost of the project but would only come into effect once the building contracts were actually signed.

The project has also been making progress in other areas. Cross London Rail Links has already carried out two rounds of consultation with a variety of interested parties, especially those directly affected by the proposed route, in order reach agreement.

In further moves forward, Adrian Montague has been appointed as Chairman of Cross London Rail links, a move welcomed by Michael Snyder. "We know from our close dealings with him that he will take forward this important project with the necessary vigour. We support the Government approach and look forward to detailed plans as they emerge.

Our work to develop realistic and practicable financing continues; I am meeting key figures to help ensure Crossrail becomes a reality as soon as possible."

In terms of a timetable, the Hybrid Bill is highly unlikely to become law in this Parliament if there is a General Election in May 2005 but to make sure it is carried over into the next Parliament, all party support is being sought so it can have a second reading before Easter. Commenting on the announcement of the Crossrail Bill, Tony McNulty, Transport Minister, said "This is a crucial step to turn Crossrail from an ambition into a reality. I am determined to work closely with our partners to introduce the Bill as early as possible in the new year."

After a Second Reading it would go before a special Crossrail Select Committee, at which evidence can be given in favour or against the project, and a Standing Committee after which it would move forward for its Third Reading and then on to the House of Lords. If Crossrail were to have smooth passage through Parliament the process could take two years before it became an Act of Parliament.

Having campaigned for more than a decade on the to issue, the Corporation is determined that this time Crossrail will become a reality.

Dec 2004

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