DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (056) issued by COI News Distribution Service
on 1 May 2009
The Government
today safeguarded a potential Crossrail route from Maidenhead to Reading.
Whilst there is no current commitment to extend Crossrail out to
Reading, safeguarding provides additional protection against
future developments on the route.
Transport Minister Andrew Adonis said:
"Our current priority is to get on with the delivery of the
Crossrail Project as it is currently planned, but safeguarding
would provide additional protection against developments impacting
on future operational requirements.
"Safeguarding will also allow the line to be electrified in
the future and for Crossrail to be extended if a case can be made
to do so."
Notes for editors
1. The Department for Transport (DfT) has issued Safeguarding
Directions to protect a potential extension of Crossrail from
Maidenhead Station to Reading West Junction. This follows a
consultation on the draft Directions which closed on 25 July 2008.
2. The aim is to ensure that developments along this rail
corridor do not impact on the ability to extend Crossrail in the
future. Crossrail Ltd (CRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of TfL, has
responsibility for delivering the Crossrail scheme and is
responsible for safeguarding this corridor.
3. The Safeguarding Direction has been issued to Local Planning
Authorities (LPAs) by the Secretary of State. The LPAs are
required to consult CRL when determining planning applications for
land within the limits shown on the safeguarding plans attached to
the direction.
4. The Crossrail project currently terminates at Maidenhead. No
decision or commitment to extend it further west to Reading has
been made. However, DfT believes it sensible to safeguard this
corridor for a potential extension of Crossrail to Reading.
Safeguarding will also allow us to carry out alternative works,
such as electrification, that could enable future operational
requirements to be met.
5. Crossrail will run 118 km from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the
west, through new twin-bore 21 km tunnels under central London to
Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. It will bring an additional
1.5 million people within 60 minutes commuting distance of
London's key business districts. When Crossrail opens in 2017
it will increase London's public transport network capacity
by 10 per cent, supporting regeneration across the capital,
helping to secure London's position as a world leading
financial centre, and cutting journey times across the city.
Preparatory works will continue throughout 2009 and main Crossrail
construction starts in 2010.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk