Crossrail 2 line ‘could be open four years early’

London Evening Standard/LondonCrossrail 2 could be opened by 2029 — four years earlier than initially proposed — the mayor announced yesterday as he published revised plans for the multi-billion-pound link.Tweaks to the line between south-west and north-east London include a realignment of the route in Hackney, an alternative station in Chelsea, and extending the northern branch from Alexandra Palace to New Southgate.Some 14,000 people responded to the initial public consultation, carried out by Transport for London and Network Rail last year, with 96% supporting or strongly supporting the idea of Crossrail 2.Their feedback has also prompted changes to the route, which may offer better value for money and better opportunities for local growth and regeneration, increasing the supply of housing and jobs.Eighty-four percent supported or strongly supported the “regional” route that is now being proposed — reaching people in Hertfordshire, Surrey and beyond — as opposed to a “metro” route that would cover a smaller area.Boris Johnson said Crossrail 2 would create a high-frequency, high-capacity rail line, with shorter journey times. It is designed to address capacity constraints in the South-West as well as provide vital new connections across the capital.Johnson said: “If London and its economy are to keep moving then it’s essential that we crack on and get Crossrail 2 delivered. It’s a vital project not just for the capital, but also for the regions from which hordes of commuters struggle into work on packed carriages each day.“As we’ve seen with Crossrail 1, major transport projects like this have an enormous role to play not just in boosting capacity, but in galvanising economic development and unlocking the potential for jobs and homes.” The regional option could combine an underground and overground railway, covering routes from New Southgate and stations in Hertfordshire to various locations in south-west London and Surrey.It could provide greater benefits for travellers through journey and congestion relief across the rail network, the mayor said. It would also have a greater impact on regeneration and development, particularly in outer London and the Upper Lea Valley.Deputy mayor for transport Isabel Dedring said: “The approach has been for the regeneration impact to influence the route up front. The consequences for Crossrail 2 would go well beyond transport to regeneration and housing benefits.” A second consultation was launched yesterday to finalise the proposed route.Johnson added: “We know there’s huge appetite from passengers and from business to get this project off the ground and, as we take the important step in fine-tuning the potential route, we’re genuinely keen to hear people’s views.”