Londoners and residents in the south east of England are being invited to give their views on two proposed options:
Metro – a high frequency underground service operating between Wimbledon and Alexandra Palace via an underground railway.
Transport for London say this option would relieve congestion on trains and platforms on the Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.
Regional – a combined underground and overground railway operating from Alexandra Palace and stations in Hertfordshire to various locations in south west London and Surrey.
The consultation runs until August 2nd and can be completed online at www.crossrail2.co.uk.
Launching the consultation, the Mayor said: “Crossrail is set to revolutionise travel in the capital, and with a predicted 10 million people expected to be living in London by 2031, pressing ahead with the next stage of the plan, Crossrail 2, is quite simply essential.
“That’s why I am sending out a rallying cry for the public’s support for this consultation – come and share your views so we can progress with Crossrail 2 as soon as possible.”
The scheme is supported by the capital’s business community which is expected to provide some of its estimated £16bn construction costs.
Baroness Jo Valentine, Chief Executive of business lobby group London First said: “Even with the major transport programmes that are already planned or underway, by the late 2020s most tube and train carriages will feel like sardine tins for much of the day.
“That’s bad for London of course, but as the capital is the engine room of the UK economy, it would be damaging to the country as a whole. We need everyone to get behind this project and make it happen.”
Former Transport secretary and Chairman of the Crossrail 2 Task Force for London First, Lord Adonis said: “I am glad to see the Mayor taking forward preparations for Crossrail 2. Now we need a credible funding plan embracing the public and private sectors, with a view to construction in the 2020s.”
The scheme has also been backed by members of the London Assembly.
Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon described Crossrail 2 as “an exciting proposal which has the potential to not only regenerate many parts of London but also transform capacity and services on some of the most crowded sections of the underground and national rail.”
The Assembly’s transport committee says it will now examine the proposals to ensure they “are robust and provide the best outcome for all Londoners.”
Committee Chair Val Shawcross AM said: “The Assembly welcomes the launch of TfL and Network Rail’s consultation and will be carefully scrutinising the plans of those in charge to make sure that London gets the boost it deserves from this proposed new transport infrastructure.”
Following the consultation a report will be presented to the Mayor of London in the autumn ahead of further, more detailed consultations.
