Crossrail 2 needs more work

Simon Adams, head of commercial at Crossrail 2, told delegates at the National Infrastructure Forum that more work was needed in order to secure approval for the project from the new Government.

Transport for London has submitted a business case for the proposed £31 billion line to Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling, while the NIC has already recommended that a bill should pass through Parliament by 2019, so that the line can open by 2033. The line would run southwest to northeast beneath London, from Surrey to Hertfordshire.

Adams said that the success of Crossrail, which is currently being delivered on time and within budget, would greatly help the argument to give construction the green light, while the economic case for Crossrail 2 remained a highly persuasive one to politicians.

• For much more from Adams, read RAIL 829, published on June 21.