16.02.16
TfL takeover of London rail could be ‘Crossrail 3’ – Lord Adonis
‘Crossrail 3’ could come about thanks to new plans for Transport for London (TfL) to take over suburban rail services in Greater London, according to the peer heading the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) investigation into Crossrail 2.
In an appearance before the London Assembly Transport Committee, NIC chair Lord Andrew Adonis said he thought the TfL takeover was as significant as the planned railway from the south to the north-east of London, which could be completed by 2030.
The NIC, an independent agency which assesses Britain’s future infrastructure requirements, is investigating the feasibility of Crossrail 2 and is due to report its recommendations to the government in the next few weeks.
Lord Adonis told the committee: “You could have Crossrail 3, 4, 5, 6 – it can’t come soon enough.
“If I had to say what the most significant infrastructure priorities over the next 15 years, I would probably highlight the capacity to transform the suburban heavy rail lines as the single most important and cost-effective improvement that can be made.”
He also said that Crossrail 2 is a regional project with national significance.
He added: “Crossrail 2 would not be a substitute for continued upgrading and improvement in the Tube. It needs to run alongside it, as does the existing Crossrail scheme.”
As RTM recently reported, under proposed plans all rail services that operate mostly or entirely within Greater London could be transferred to TfL when current franchises expire under a new partnership with the Department for Transport.
The partnership would see TfL take over suburban rail services in the capital and lead on a new London Suburban Metro service.
Recently Lord Adonis appeared at RTM’s TransCity Rail North dinner where he told delegates that new major infrastructure projects like Crossrail 2 and HS3 should look at “wider sources of funding”, including private sector investment, rather than simply receiving money from the Treasury.
Network Rail chair Sir Peter Hendy also told the transport committee the NIC needs to recommend government funding for Crossrail 2.
He said: “Just like with Crossrail 1 by the time Crossrail 2 gets anywhere near delivery it will become quite apparent that nothing else will do instead of it so we better just get on with it.”
In December 2015, TfL’s Finance and Policy Committee was asked to recommend the Board brings forward £4.74m from 2016-17 to allow the Crossrail 2 project programme “to be maintained” and ensure momentum isn’t lost.
(Images c. Transport for London)