Opinion

Crossrail 2 – Investment in transport is essential for the UK’s continued growth

Michele Dix chief executive, Crossrail 2

Get it right and Crossrail 2 alone could add up to £100 billion to the UK’s GVA, says Michele Dix

The recent Budget announcement demonstrates that government understands how vital our roads, railways, power stations, fibre optic cables, water and other essential services are to boosting productivity and growing the economy.

Maintaining vital infrastructure investment across the whole of the UK should be a priority. In transport, investment would connect people with housing and jobs. This is essential if we are to boost the nation’s productivity and deliver the Government’s growth aspirations.

“If we get this right, Crossrail 2 alone could add up to £100 billion to the UK’s GVA.”

In London we are delivering one of the world’s largest capital investment programmes - modernising the Tube, rail, bus and road networks to maximise capacity and keep pace with our rapidly growing population.  But like other cities, we need to do more. 

Crossrail 2,  a transformational infrastructure project for the South East, is needed now to cope with demand. By linking Surrey and Hertfordshire through central London, and providing new capacity for up to 270,000  trips into and across London in the morning peak, it will benefit destinations across the South East by taking pressure off the most congested mainline stations and routes, and will make the communities it serves more attractive as places to live and work. Crossrail 2 could unlock 200,000 homes and 200,000 new jobs plus support over 60,000 construction and supply chain jobs across the UK.

To help realise  the full potential for new homes and  jobs of Crossrail 2 we’ve established a Growth Commission, chaired by Sir Merrick Cockell.  The Commission will work with the local authorities and other key stakeholders along the route to ensure development aspiration and plans for the railway are fully aligned.  If we get this right, Crossrail 2 alone could add up to £100 billion to the UK’s GVA.

Maximising the development opportunities will help to deliver continued economic growth and create new opportunities in the construction sector.  As well as the 60,000 jobs in building Crossrail 2, thousands more would be supported in house building and other local infrastructure provision along the route. 

Development funding in the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review would allow us to progress the project and secure the powers so work can start building in 2020. We need to press on and make the most of the opportunity we have to boost productivity and grow the UK’s economy. 

Michele Dix is the chief executive of the Crossrail 2 project

Comments

I think Crossrail 2 will be a great project, but the cherry on the cake is if it finishes in a new garden town at each end. providing significant commuter housing.