Crossrail project green-lighted

The Crossrail transport project, which will link Heathrow Airport to a number of other London destinations, has been given the go-ahead by the government.

Prime minister Gordon Brown confirmed £16 billion of funding for the initiative, which is not expected to become operational for another decade.

When it is up and running, the Crossrail network will link Heathrow and Maidenhead in west London with Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.

A number of new stations will also be constructed at locations including Bond Street and Farringdon, while the journey time from Heathrow to Canary Wharf will be cut to 43 minutes.

Transport secretary Ruth Kelly said: "Incredible work has gone into securing a Crossrail funding deal that has eluded all previous governments.

"Today's announcement paves the way for a rail link that will give a lasting transport legacy to London for centuries to come."

When they are up and running Crossrail trains are expected to carry 200 million passengers a year.

Posted by Graham Greenaway on the 05/10/2007 18:31:35
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