Transport for LondonCrossrail gets the go ahead from Parliament
I am absolutely thrilled that work can now begin on one of the largest projects ever seen in the Capital
Following the Prime Minister's announcement last October that a £16bn funding package had been secured for the construction of Crossrail, Parliamentary approval of the Bill means that the project is on track to be operational for passengers in 2017.
Crossrail will have twice the capacity of the Jubilee line and will operate 24 trains per hour in each direction through central London in the peak, relieving congestion on Tube and rail lines.
Faster journey times mean that Heathrow will be only 31 minutes away from the West End.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: 'I am absolutely thrilled that work can now begin on one of the largest projects ever seen in the Capital, a project that is vital to the future prosperity of our city and a project that has the potential to improve the lives of many thousands of Londoners.'
The line will run 118km from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west through tunnels under central London - with new stations at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Isle of Dogs (Canary Wharf) - then out to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
The Crossrail Act grants powers to acquire land and for Crossrail to be built.
Enabling works will take place next year, with main construction works set to begin in 2010.
