No delays over Crossrail decision, says CLRL

Cross London Rail Links (CLRL) has hit back at newspaper reports that a decision on Crossrail has been delayed as costs reach £15bn, claiming that "our position hasn't changed at all".

"The newspaper stories have basically stemmed from some off-the-cuff comments made by transport secretary Alistair Darling after a conference last week," CLRL's media manager Ian Rathbone said. "Nothing has changed - our estimated cost of the project is still between £7bn and £11bn."

However, Norman Haste, chief executive officer of CLRL, added: "The final costs will vary depending on what route options are decided on. Projects with long duration like Crossrail have to take into account inflation, costs of finance and contingency provisions."

"Our timetable is still the same as before with a planned round of public consultation before the Hybrid Bill is presented to Parliament in the next session, and the trains operational on the line by 2012."

Rathbone said that providing there is an announcement within the next few weeks on the scheme, the public consultation would take place in September.

"We're still anticipating a decision will be reached in the next few weeks. That's what the Department for Transport has told us."