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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Go-ahead expected for Crossrail | Go-ahead expected for Crossrail |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The £16bn Crossrail scheme to build a new rail line through the centre of London is expected to be given the go-ahead by PM Gordon Brown later. | The £16bn Crossrail scheme to build a new rail line through the centre of London is expected to be given the go-ahead by PM Gordon Brown later. |
| Construction for the link - connecting Maidenhead, Berkshire, to Essex through the capital - will start in 2010. | |
| Train services are expected to be up-and-running in a decade. | Train services are expected to be up-and-running in a decade. |
| The government is providing a third of the money with the rest made up from borrowing against future fares and a levy on London business rates. | The government is providing a third of the money with the rest made up from borrowing against future fares and a levy on London business rates. |
| Airport links | Airport links |
| Crossrail will provide 24 trains an hour into the heart of London from the east and west, improving rail links to the West End, the City and the Docklands business district. | Crossrail will provide 24 trains an hour into the heart of London from the east and west, improving rail links to the West End, the City and the Docklands business district. |
| As well as adding capacity to London's overcrowded tube network, it will improve links to Heathrow and other airports. | As well as adding capacity to London's overcrowded tube network, it will improve links to Heathrow and other airports. |
| The bulk of the construction will involve digging two 10-mile tunnels deep under central London between Paddington and Stratford stations. | The bulk of the construction will involve digging two 10-mile tunnels deep under central London between Paddington and Stratford stations. |
| The government says the cost of the scheme is outweighed by the economic benefit - calculated at £20bn. | The government says the cost of the scheme is outweighed by the economic benefit - calculated at £20bn. |
| Crossrail was first proposed in the 1980s but supporters have had difficulty in securing the funding. | Crossrail was first proposed in the 1980s but supporters have had difficulty in securing the funding. |
| Earlier this week, the City of London Corporation agreed to help meet a funding gap that was holding back the scheme. | Earlier this week, the City of London Corporation agreed to help meet a funding gap that was holding back the scheme. |
| The authority voted to support "a financial contribution" to the project, which had stalled over a shortfall of up to £400m. | The authority voted to support "a financial contribution" to the project, which had stalled over a shortfall of up to £400m. |