16.09.15
Crossrail 2 Growth Commission members unveiled
The Crossrail 2 Growth Commission has been unveiled today (16 September) by chairman Sir Merrick Cockell following its creation in July.
Boris Johnson MP, the mayor of London, said at the time of its creation that the body would bring together London boroughs, county and district councils outside the city and other business and development stakeholders to determine how the railway could help create jobs and support housing.
He said: “We know that the benefits of the Crossrail 2 are huge, but they will have to be properly planned for if they are to be delivered with maximum effect. Sir Merrick has assembled a stellar cast to work alongside him and under his stewardship, the Crossrail 2 Growth Commission sets off firmly on the right track.
“The work of the Commission will be absolutely vital to ensuring that Crossrail 2 becomes a transformational railway, delivering economic growth, new homes and jobs in London, the south east and across the UK.”
The group will strive to ensure that the design of Crossrail 2 supports major housing opportunities along its route to provide for the south east’s growing population, as well as encouraging job creation on all levels.
It will also make sure the massive project is considered in the supporting infrastructure and other investment that will be needed to maximise growth opportunities, while also promoting effective joint working between all stakeholders.
Cockell said: “The Growth Commission will play a significant role in aligning plans for the vital new railway with creating jobs and homes in the areas they are needed, utilising the wide-ranging experience of the team. By doing this work now we can ensure we make the most of the opportunities and deliver the maximum benefits across the entire route and beyond.”
The Commission will report back in spring 2016 in order to certify that plans for local development and the route are aligned as work progresses within the project.
A public consultation into Crossrail 2 will start in October to provide more information on the proposed alignment and stations.
If the scheme gets the green light, construction will start in 2020 and services will run from 2030.
The Commission’s members are as follows:
- Sir Merrick Cockell – chairman of the Growth Commission
- Daniel Moylan – deputy chair of the Growth Commission and mayoral adviser for Crossrail 2 and Aviation
- Greg Clark – chair of London Stansted Cambridge Consortium and member of the London Enterprise Panel
- Geoff French – chair of the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership
- Lord Adonis – transport expert and former transport secretary
- Baroness Valentine – chief executive of London First and a trustee of the housing association the Peabody Trust
- Richard Blakeway – deputy mayor for housing, land and property
- Bob Neill – MP for Bromley and Chislehurst and former shadow local government minister
- Chris Duffield – local government expert having held roles at the GLC, Bexley and City of London
- Nick de Bois – fFormer MP for Enfield North
- Richard Akers – non-executive director at Barratt Developments Plc, an engineer and member of RICS
Crossrail 2 will serve London, Hertfordshire, Surrey and other parts of the south east, ultimately linking south-west and north-east London.
It will possibly link stations in Surrey and Hertfordshire, with a core route linking Wimbledon with Tottenham and Barnet, via stations including Clapham Junction, Victoria, Tottenham Court Road, Euston and Angel.
The railway intends to enable up to 30 trains per hour, in each direction, to cross central London, connecting with the Underground and National Rail networks
It is also set to free up capacity in the south east, including Hampshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
Click on the image to enlarge it.
In July, on the same day as Johnson announced the Commission’s creation, the Times published an open letter from top business leaders urging the government to provide development funding essential to start works on the project.
They said that “we must rapidly move forward with Crossrail 2” as Crossrail nears completion.
The open letter said: “It will unlock land for up to 200,000 new homes, with a matching number of new jobs, adding up to £7.9bn a year to London’s economy and promoting growth nationally.”
Johnson backed them by insisting that the government should boost support, particularly in light of the new taskforce. He will press chancellor George Osborne to fund £250m in preparation for the project over the next five years.
(Top image c. Hammersmith & Fulham Council)