London West has weighed up the benefits of the Elizabeth Line and subsequent Crossrail 2 with the help of some of the key figures involved.
The opening of the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail 1) on May 24 2022, will show the benefits of world-class infrastructure investment in a live business case.
Crossrail 2 is the proposed railway linking the national rail networks in Surrey and Hertfordshire via an underground tunnel through London.
As one of the most significant engineering projects in Europe, it would create many varied opportunities for businesses around the country to get involved and help make the railway a reality.
Businesses across the UK could benefit from work connected to the project. From steel production in the North to faster connections to the Midlands, and from manufacturing in Yorkshire to engineering specialists in the North East, Crossrail 2 would help support the regional economies similar to Crossrail 1. On the Crossrail project, 96 per cent of contracts were awarded to companies based in the UK; of those, nearly two-thirds are based outside of London.
The new railway would help the capital to continue attracting international investment and allow it to create new jobs. This would grow the national economy, benefiting the whole of the UK; analysis suggests London could contribute £159bn a year to the UK economy by 2035, money which can be spent around the country.
Construction of Crossrail 2 would support apprenticeships, increasing the long-term skills base to help both workers and businesses. Once operational, analysis suggests the railway would support up to 200,000 jobs in a range of industries.
Crossrail 2 would open up areas of opportunity within the London plan and create up to 200,000 new homes. South London would level up in terms of connections.
When asked about Crossrail 2 at the Uxbridge Social, Andy Lord, TfL COO, said, ” We (TfL) believe Crossrail 2 is still there.
He went on to say, “Lessons that will be learnt from Crossrail 1 can be applied to Crossrail 2.”
Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner, supported this view at the media briefing for the opening of the Elizabeth Line and said,” Give me the money, and we’ll get started.”
Baroness Vere, Transport Under Secretary, emphasised the need for TfL to achieve financial goals before any further investment is made. Listen here.
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