news

TPA release measures which could save the Crossrail 2 project £11 billion

Posted: 20 May 2019 | | 1 comment

The report suggests that there are separate, smaller projects which could deliver some of Crossrail 2’s objectives at better value for money. 

TPA releases measures which could save £11 billion on Crossrail 2 project

The TaxPayers’ Alliance are publishing a new report on the cost of Crossrail 2, and how some key strategic improvements could provide better value for money for passengers and taxpayers. The expected cost for the project has increased from £5.3 billion (or £7.7 billion in 2019-20 prices) in 2000 to £32.6 billion (or £35.6 billion in 2019-20 prices) in 2016. The financial strength of the project’s primary sponsor, Transport for London (TfL), has deteriorated due a fares freeze policy, the withdrawal of the grant from central government, weaker growth in passenger demand and the failure of Crossrail 1 to stay within budget and on time.

Reintroducing fares escalation could transfer 20 per cent of the capital costs from taxpayers to passengers, improving viability. Implementing a Crossrail 2 fares premium and an exemption from concessionary fares could transfer a similar share of funding to passengers. As things stand, taxpayers will finance the cost of the entire project, so the TPA’s new report looks also into how this bill can be reduced.

This report has found that £11 billion could be saved with five cost reduction measures: 

  1. Cancelling the New Southgate spur could save £5.1 billion.
  2. Rerouting the section between Dalston and Victoria via Clerkenwell instead of Euston St Pancras could save £1.4 billion. Alternatives via Farringdon or City Thameslink are also presented.
  3. Removing the station at Chelsea and rerouting directly between Clapham Junction and Victoria could save £1 billion and offer improved transport benefits.
  4. Rerouting the section between Wimbledon and Clapham Junction directly via Earlsfield instead of Balham could save £2.3 billion and improve journeys.
  5. Building Wimbledon station above ground, reallocating existing platforms and tracks to Crossrail 2 (and tunnelling those instead) could save £1.3 billion.

The report also proposes several separate, smaller projects could deliver some of Crossrail 2’s objectives at better value for money: 

  1. Extending the DLR from Bank to Euston via Holborn.
  2. A new metro line from Fulham to Canary Wharf via Chelsea and Waterloo.
  3. A new metro line extending national rail services into Fenchurch Street via Cannon Street and then existing railway infrastructure from Elephant & Castle to Herne Hill.
  4. A Crossrail 2 spur from Angel Road to Gordon Hill via Edmonton Green and Enfield Town, largely using existing infrastructure.
  5. A new express line between Kentish Town and Canary Wharf via Liverpool Street.
  6. A short ‘Crossrail 3’ between Victoria and Euston via Tottenham Court Road.

Commenting on the report, John O’Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Crossrail 2 is an enormous infrastructure project but flaws in the consultation process have led to an excessively complicated and expensive scheme. TfL should reconsider Crossrail 2’s scope and systematically assess whether particular elements not only fit the objectives but also whether alternatives might meet those objectives at better value for money. Affordability of the project is the primary concern so TfL must reassess every item with a view to removing all unnecessary costs.”

One response to “TPA release measures which could save the Crossrail 2 project £11 billion”

  1. Rag K says:

    Does anyone aware how many proposals, review committee and public meetings are made before Crossrail 2 decided on their New Route Plan?. Also, there is an clear indication that alignment and coordination between Crossrail (1 and 2) and HS2 has been missed out as explained below. As all these three projects are of billions investment and takes all our money to complete this project (say at end of 2033, if no further delays), but how sensible and good connectivity links to entire London and Outer London we could still have after this long wait is an serious question to ask now?.

    As per the new proposals, Crossrail 1 and 2 meet only at Tottenham Court station, but HS2 to be laid out at Old Oak Common and extend to Euston. But surprisingly we still do not have any common interchange station where all three trains could meet?. Hence all these proposed plans either make very much congested at Euston or require commuters to still have several interchanges before they can reach their final destination and thereby this is not going to reduce any commute time.

    Now another serious concern has been raised whether can we terminate HS2 at Old Oak common to avoid delaying HS2 project completion by another seven years and also this involves several millions if need to extend to Euston. So, best way, is stop HS2 at Old Oak Common and also to make both Crossrail 1/2 meet at Old Oak common station and spend that savings to improve new infrastructure needs at Old Oak Common.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.