Transport News

Crossrail - Major Boost for Region

London Thames Gateway received a major boost last month when the Queen gave her formal royal assent to the Crossrail Bill - putting the £16 billion project on track to be operational by 2017.

The region will be benefiting from 17 stops on the new line, including 4 new stations at Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Isle of Dogs and Woolwich. A key strategic project for future economic growth, the new rail line will significantly increase the attractiveness of the region and bring a host of opportunities for local businesses, including widening the labour pool.

The route, which is expected to carry 200 million people each year, will bring an additional 1.5 million people within 60 minutes' commuting distance of London's key business districts. It is predicted the project will create 30,000 jobs and add at least £20 billion to the British economy. Up to 14,000 people will be employed at the peak period of construction.

The drawings of the new stations show spacious new ticket halls flooded with light from huge windows and skylights and triple escalators at some stations to cater for the influx of commuters expected to use the west-east link.

At peak times, 24 trains per hour will run in each direction through central London. They will reach speeds of up to 100mph on open stretches and 60mph in tunnels. Heathrow will be 43 minutes from the Isle of Dogs, home of east London's jewel in the crown, Canary Wharf.

Land on the route will now be purchased and detailed design studies carried out. Major enabling works should start next year and the main construction in 2010. It will take seven years to bore deep under central London and build the massive stations associated with the project.  Each will be a huge Tube interchange, and some will see major new developments of shops, offices, hotels and private housing.