Final designs for eight Crossrail stations were unveiled yesterday as Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Rail Minister Theresa Villiers opened a new public exhibition giving Londoners their first sight of scheme’s scale and design.
With funding for the scheme now confirmed as part of the coalition government’s spending review, Crossrail chiefs hope the exhibition will move discussion of the project onto new ground.
Crossrail Chief Executive Rob Holden, said the unveiling of the designs was “another milestone for Crossrail and a further demonstration of the project’s continued momentum. The station designs have a critical role to play in informing the public about what Crossrail will really deliver for London and for communities along the route.”
Designs for new stations being built at Bond Street, Canary Wharf, Custom House, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Paddington, Tottenham Court Road and Whitechapel will be on public display at The Building Centre until 8 December.
Although the stations will be part of a larger “consistent” design, each will also draw on “the character and heritage of the local area” and many of the stations are intended to be the catalyst for wider regeneration in the local area.
Speaking at yesterday’s event Mayor Johnson said: “As Crossrail moves from the drawing board to reality we can see the breathtaking benefits it will bring to our city and I’m thrilled Londoners can finally see designs of the world-class stations that we will construct. When complete they will run east to west in a solid backbone of quality infrastructure and style.”
Making the case for the £16bn project, Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said it would “potentially generate up to £50bn for the UK’s GDP” while allowing passengers “to arrive at their destinations in less time and more comfort.”
Exhibition details:
The Crossrail exhibition at The Building Centre, Store Street, WC1E 7BT is open to the public until 8 December 2010. Admission is free of charge. The Building Centre is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 6.00pm and on Saturday from 10:00am until 5.00pm. The nearest Tube station is either Tottenham Court Road or Goodge Street.