A roundtable discussion organised by Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and London First, has highlighted the scale and economic potential of the transformational Crossrail 2 project.
The project, which will complement other transport schemes across the region, is estimated to deliver a £150bn boost to the UK economy and support 200,000 new employment opportunities.
Crossrail 2 will provide capacity for a further 270,000 people travelling to Central London daily in the morning peak, as well as ease congestion on the rail lines into London Waterloo and Clapham Junction. The benefits of the scheme extend far beyond London, as it will significantly increase capacity for journeys as far away as Portsmouth, Southampton, Andover Winchester, Basingstoke, Woking and Guildford.
Mike D’Alton Chairman of Enterprise M3 Transport Action Group said:
“Enterprise M3 LEP area is one of the fastest growing regional economies in the UK and the continuation and consolidation of this growth will be underpinned by major investments in transport infrastructure. Crossrail 2, along with complementary schemes on the lines into London Waterloo, will deliver the much needed catalyst to unlock further development within the EM3 LEP area and beyond. Residents and businesses will benefit through improved journey times, less crowding, and extended employment opportunities. We welcome the scheme and will work with relevant stakeholders to see it come to fruition and to enhance the quality of life, and commerce across Surrey and Hampshire.”
Set to be one of the largest engineering projects in Europe, Crossrail 2 will generate almost £3 billion in forecast supply chain spending that will benefit businesses across Southeast and Southwest England, driving growth for local businesses and creating jobs across the Enterprise M3 LEP area.
Michèle Dix, Managing Director of Crossrail 2 who was at the Roundtable discussion to summarise the economic impact of the scheme, said: “Crossrail 2 will have a dramatic effect on rail services between Hampshire and London by freeing up rail space into Waterloo for additional and faster services. Although Crossrail 2 trains themselves will run out only as far as north Surrey, we know that it’s a struggle for many Basingstoke rail commuters with lines into Waterloo among the most congested in the country. The new railway is designed to relieve such pressure, it will add an estimated 11,800 train seats every weekday morning peak across trains coming in from the South West. Crossrail 2 is an investment for the future that we need to start taking forward now.”
Running from nine stations in Surrey to three in Hertfordshire, Crossrail 2 will provide rail connections across London via twin underground tunnels, substantially enhancing connectivity on the 160-mile route from Portsmouth to Cambridge.
Chris Curtis, Head of Crossrail 2 at Network Rail, said: “Over the next 18 months, passengers will see their rail journeys transformed as Network Rail’s £50bn Railway Upgrade Plan reaches its final stages with the completion of some of our mega-projects including the Elizabeth line, the Thameslink Programme and the introduction of thousands of new services. We are ever mindful of the increasing demand on the railway and constantly need to plan ahead. Crossrail 2 is a key component of Network Rail’s longer-term strategy to increase capacity and improve rail services for passengers across London and the South East.”
Development of Crossrail 2 is ongoing, with construction scheduled to start in the early 2020s pending Government consent. The new line is planned to become operational in the early 2030s.
