Businesses outside London could be asked to contribute to the costs of Crossrail after Boris Johnson asked Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon to consult with planning authorities in the South East and East of England about levying a contribution to the scheme’s costs on new planning developments in those areas.

Yesterday saw the start of construction on Crossrail, as work got underway to lay the foundations for a new station at Canary Wharf. Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Mayor of London Boris Johnson were joined by business leaders for a breakfast briefing to mark the occasion.

Boris Johnson has announced plans for a ‘Crossrail Tunnelling Academy’ which he says will “provide Londoners with the chance to gain qualifications in a variety of roles essential to the project and to London’s economy in the coming years”.

Boris Johnson has vowed to promote London as “the best city in the world” for developers looking to beat the recession when he attends the MIPIM property conference in Cannes this week. The Mayor will be making several keynote speeches and is scheduled to attend a number a number of fringe events.

Transport for London has announced long term changes to bus routes in the Tottenham Court Road area, resulting from work on the Crossrail project.