Transport for London (TfL) modelling shows that, without Crossrail 2, at least 17 Underground stations will buckle under crowding pressures and thousands of passengers arriving at Euston on HS2 phase 2 could lose time all the time they had saved on their high-speed journey as they will have to queue to board onward trains.
TfL is preparing to submit an updated business case and funding plan for Crossrail 2 to the transport secretary, who is due to make a decision on further government support in the spring. So far, the Department of Transport has supported project development work on Crossrail 2 but continued support is not guaranteed – hence the lobbying.
Crossrail 2 is, broadly, what used to be known as the proposed Chelsea-Hackney line, providing a new southwest-northeast rail link under London. Construction could start in the early 2020s, in theory, and the railway could be operational by 2033.
TfL says that it would increase the capital’s rail capacity by 10%, bringing in an additional 270,000 people into central London each morning peak – cutting journey times, improving connections and accessibility. It would serve stations throughout the southeast, linking southwest and northeast London, as well as Surrey and Hertfordshire, bringing more than 800 stations on the national rail network within just one interchange.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “Crossrail 2 is crucial. It’s crucial to meeting our ambitious targets for new affordable homes. It’s crucial to unlocking future economic growth in the aftermath of the EU referendum. It’s crucial to ensure that Euston station keeps running smoothly when HS2 opens, and it’s crucial if we are to prevent Waterloo, Victoria and many other stations from rush hour meltdown.
“Half the cost of the project can be met through funding from London, but we need the government to meet the other half if we are to avoid this unbearable strain on our transport network. Crossrail 2 is the answer to help the entire country, because when London succeeds, Britain succeeds.”
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
