HS2

10.03.16

Crossrail 2 must be developed ‘as a priority’ and delivered by 2033 – NIC

Crossrail 2 must be taken forward as a priority to meet the demands of London’s growth, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) said in a new report published today.

The report says that London will be a ‘megacity’ of more than 10 million people by 2033, putting extensive pressure on transport and infrastructure – for example, the amount of passengers at morning peak times at Waterloo, Clapham Junction and Victoria will increase by 40%, causing operational difficulties.

It says that Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport (DfT) should look into proposals to maximise Crossrail 2’s benefits, including getting more than 50% funding from London, and prepare a revised business proposal by March 2017 and a hybrid bill by autumn 2019 in order to ensure the line can open in 2033.

Lord Adonis, chair of the NIC, said: “London needs Crossrail 2 as quickly as possible. A new North-East to South-West line would help relieve severe overcrowding across some of the busiest Network Rail stations in the country, and the most congested Underground lines and overground commuter routes.”

The commission recommend that TfL and DfT strike a ‘London deal for Crossrail 2’ funding agreement where London taxpayers and businesses pay more than half the costs of the scheme.

The report also states that delivery should maximise private sector involvement in the development and funding of stations, look at ways to build at least 200,000 homes along the route, and identity proposals to increase affordability, such as delaying the north-western branch to New Southgate.

The NIC stated that Crossrail 2 should be ‘at the heart’ of the new London Plan, alongside existing commitments to upgrades and other pieces of new infrastructure. However, it should not prevent the development of other high value schemes.

It has also been recommended that the revised business case should include developed plans on costs, funding, housing and stations.

Lord Adonis called for greater business investment in major new infrastructure projects like Crossrail 2 at last year’s TransCityRail North event. Network Rail’s chair, Sir Peter Hendy, also reiterated this call at a recent London Assembly Transport hearing.

It was also revealed in December 2015 that HS2 and the DfT agreed a major package of assurances with Camden Council, including a £4m construction skills centre and oversight over Euston station and Crossrail 2, in an effort to mitigate the programmes’ impact in the area.

Comments

Andrew Gwilt   11/03/2016 at 00:14

Plus there will be plans to upgrade some parts of the West Anglia Main Line between Tottenham Hale and Broxbourne with Crossrail 2 trains terminating at Broxbourne and Hertford East and possibly Crossrail 2 could go as far as Harlow Town, Bishops Stortford and Stansted Airport in the North East and also extending and terminating at Alexandra Palace and New Southgate in North London and Crossrail 2 to extend South West where it will be taking over some of South West Trains metro routes to Twickenham, Richmond, Brentford, Epsom, Chessington, Surbiton, Norbiton, Kingston Hampton Court and Shepperton in South West London, North East Surrey and North Surrey with the eastern section of Crossrail 2 to extend to Woodford and Epping in Essex via Leytonstone and taking over the London Underground Central Line or sharing the tracks with the Central Line between Leytonstone and Epping.

Andrew Gwilt   11/03/2016 at 00:41

As in upgrading the West Anglia Main Line to 4 tracks with 2 tracks being used for Crossrail 2 and 2 tracks for Abellio GA/Stansted Express with stations between Tottenham Hale and Broxbourne to be taken over by Crossrail 2 once the tunneling is completed plus a brand new railway station called Picketts Lock to be built and to be opened about 2022/2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picketts_Lock https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Anglia_Main_Line

Chris   11/03/2016 at 08:38

Andrew, the plans for taking over a Central line branch are irrelevant now.

Scottie   11/03/2016 at 13:06

If London is to grow into a "Megacity" with a population of 10 Million plus. Other Rail and Underground improvements will be needed other than just Crossrail 2 and the Bakerloo Line extension to SE London. Another alternative that I believe warrants serious consideration is extending even further the new LU Northern Line extension from Battersea Power station development onwards to Clapham Junction. That would also assist with easing overcrowding at London Victoria and London Waterloo as well. Surely this plan / proposal deserves a feasibility study !

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