Daniel Moylan, who is a member of the Transport for London board, previously led the campaign to win support for the Mayor’s Thames Estuary airport scheme.
Last week the Airports Commission confirmed the scheme would not be included in its list of recommended options to increase air capacity.
Although the Mayor says Mr Moylan will continue to make the case for the airport, he’ll also take on responsibility for overseeing TfL’s work on the new railway.
This work, which includes studying the development potential along the route, will form part of the Mayor’s submission to Government when he asks for funding to take the scheme forward.
Announcing the appointment, Mr Johnson said: “If London and its economy are to keep moving then it’s essential that we crack on and get Crossrail 2 delivered.
“It’s a vital project not just for the capital, but also for the regions from which hordes of commuters struggle into work on packed carriages each day.
“Daniel is astute and tenacious. His experience representing TfL on the Board of Crossrail 1, his oversight of Transport for London’s massive investment plan and his work on framing aviation policy in the capital make him ideally suited to driving the work around this crucial scheme.”
Mr Moylan said: “I am very pleased and excited to be taking on these new responsibilities for the progression of Crossrail 2.
“As a board member of Crossrail 1, I am familiar with the immense benefit such schemes have for London and the wider south east and I look forward to ensuring its successor will be delivered as quickly and effectively as possible.”
