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| Version 16 | Version 17 |
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| Crossrail gets the green signal | Crossrail gets the green signal |
| (about 1 hour 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". |
| 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. |
| See details of Crossrail route through central LondonEnlarge Map | See details of Crossrail route through central LondonEnlarge Map |
| 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 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 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 an "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 an "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." |
| 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". | 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". |
| Crossrail's lasting 'legacy' class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7030638.stm">Crossrail splits fans and foes | |
| Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers welcomed the decision, but asked: "Why has it taken Mr Brown 10 years to commit to the funding? | Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers welcomed the decision, but asked: "Why has it taken Mr Brown 10 years to commit to the funding? |
| "Every time an election seems imminent, the Government wheels out the promise of Crossrail. I hope that Brown is really on board and not using it as another political stunt." | "Every time an election seems imminent, the Government wheels out the promise of Crossrail. I hope that Brown is really on board and not using it as another political stunt." |
| Her sentiments were echoed by Liberal Democrat transport spokeswoman Susan Kramer. | Her sentiments were echoed by Liberal Democrat transport spokeswoman Susan Kramer. |
| She said: "It is great news...however, this process has dragged on for far too long. It is a shame that it has taken the possibility of a general election to make things happen." | She said: "It is great news...however, this process has dragged on for far too long. It is a shame that it has taken the possibility of a general election to make things happen." |
| The news was also welcomed by the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT), who urged the government to go further by approving a new north-south high-speed rail link as well. | The news was also welcomed by the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT), who 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Are you affected by this news story? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below: | Are you affected by this news story? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below: |