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Crossrail gets the green signal Crossrail gets the green signal
(20 minutes later)
The £16bn Crossrail scheme to build a railway link through the centre of London has been given the go-ahead by prime minister Gordon Brown. The £16bn Crossrail scheme to build a railway link through the centre of London has been given the go-ahead by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Construction for the link - from Maidenhead, Berkshire, through to Essex - is expected to start in 2010.Construction for the link - from Maidenhead, Berkshire, through to Essex - is expected to start in 2010.
It 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 Docklands.It 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 Docklands.
Mr Brown said it was a great day "for London, Crossrail and the economy".Mr Brown said it was a great day "for London, Crossrail and the economy".
See map of Crossrail routeSee map of Crossrail route
He said the project was of "enormous importance, not just for London but for the whole country" and would generate 30,000 jobs.He said the project was of "enormous importance, not just for London but for the whole country" and would generate 30,000 jobs.
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.
Crossrail's lasting legacyCrossrail's lasting legacy
Mr Brown said: "I believe we have come up with a workable, robust and cost-effective business plan.Mr Brown said: "I believe we have come up with a workable, robust and cost-effective business plan.
"Crossrail will add £20bn to the UK gross domestic product. Today's go-ahead proves that London works best when London works together.""Crossrail will add £20bn to the UK gross domestic product. Today's go-ahead proves that London works best when London works together."
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said the project had "eluded all previous governments" due to the funding gap and that the scheme would leave a lasting transport legacy. Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said the project had "eluded all previous governments" due to the funding gap and that the scheme would leave a "lasting transport legacy".
Crossrail services are due to be running in about 10 years.Crossrail services are due to be running in about 10 years.
The idea was first proposed in the 1980s, but supporters have had difficulty in securing the funding.The idea was first proposed in the 1980s, but supporters have had difficulty in securing the funding.
'Giant jigsaw''Giant jigsaw'
Describing the move as a "internationally recognisable vote of confidence" in London's economy, Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "Crossrail is not just a transport scheme, it is the key to the next 20 years of economic development of London. Describing the move as a "internationally recognisable vote of confidence" in London's economy, Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "Crossrail is not just a transport scheme, it is the key to the next 20 years of economic development of London."
"Crossrail will provide the transport underpinning for the greatest centres of London's business... as well as linking these areas of high jobs growth to the areas of greatest deprivation in east London and opening up the areas of new housing development in the Thames Gateway." Michael Snyder, chairman of the City of London's Policy and Resources Committee said he was delighted that many hours of detailed discussion had helped "deliver the new railway that London so desperately needs".
Baroness Valentine, chief executive of business group London First, said the project was like a "piecing together a giant jigsaw". Baroness Valentine, chief executive of business group London First, said it was like a "piecing together a giant jigsaw" and would be crucial "when Chinese and Indian businesses consider where to site their European HQs".
Improved links
"Crucially for London's future, when Chinese and Indian businesses consider where to site their European HQs, they will see in London a world city investing in its future."
The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) welcomed the decision, but urged the government to go further by approving a new north-south high-speed rail link as well.The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) welcomed the decision, but urged the government to go further by approving a new north-south high-speed rail link as well.
As well as adding capacity to London's overcrowded tube network, Crossrail will improve links to Heathrow and other airports.As well as adding capacity to London's overcrowded tube network, Crossrail 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. Earlier this week, the City of London Corporation agreed to "a financial contribution" to help meet a funding gap of £400m that was holding back the scheme.
The government says the cost of the scheme is outweighed by the economic benefit - calculated at £20bn. name="bottom"> name="map"> High-speed linkPlanned operational date 2015From Maidenhead and Heathrow in westFrom Shenfield and Abbey Wood in eastThrough central London tunnelsNew stations at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel and Canary Wharf
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.
After nearly 20 years, it may be that Crossrail joins the other major cross-capital route, Thameslink, in finally achieving financing.
High-speed linkPlanned operational date 2015From Maidenhead and Heathrow in westFrom Shenfield and Abbey Wood in eastThrough central London tunnelsNew stations at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel and Canary Wharf
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