Crossrail Bill gets final approval

MPs have approved the crucial Crossrail Bill, allowing work on the £16bn project to go ahead.

After first being approved in 1990, the Bill received final Royal Assent last night.

The new rail line will run from Maidenhead and Heathrow through tunnels under central London out to Shenfield and Abbey Wood.

Enabling works are expected to begin next year with main construction works to start in 2010 and final completion expected by 2017.

The approval also marks a change for Cross London Rail Links from planning organisation to delivery agent.

As part of the change, four new non-executive directors, Michael Cassidy, Patrick Crawford, Sir Joe Dwyer and Heather Rabbatts, have been appointed.

Cross London Rail Links executive chairman Douglas Oakervee said: “Royal assent is the most significant milestone in the history of Crossrail.

“After years of planning and discussion, we are ready to move into the delivery phase of a project that will benefit London, the south-east region and the UK as a whole.

“Up to 14,000 people will be employed in the construction, and training schemes are planned to help equip Londoners along the route with the skills to secure these jobs.”