BAA backs Crossrail to benefit Heathrow
[November 5th 2008]
Airport operator BAA has pledged £230 million to the Crossrail project that will link Heathrow airport to central London, the City and Canary Wharf.
Crossrail will provide a fast train service to Heathrow four times an hour for most of the day, cutting journey times and significantly improving rail access to the airport for thousands of passengers and airport workers.
Legislation allowing the scheme to progress was approved in July this year, and work is due to start in earnest in 2010. The £16 billion project is to be funded by both the government and businesses such as BAA that will benefit directly from it.
As well as improving journey times to Heathrow, the government says Crossrail will provide a boost of at least £20 billion to the UK economy and generate 30,000 new jobs.
Transport Minister Andrew Adonis says: “Crossrail is the largest addition to the transport network in 50 years, and the announcement that BAA has confirmed a £230 million funding package for the project represents a major step towards its delivery”.
BAA strategy director, Mike Forster, comments: “We are delighted to support the Crossrail scheme, which demonstrates our commitment to improving public transport access to Heathrow”.
“This vital new link will directly connect the City and Canary Wharf to the airport, complementing our existing Heathrow Express service and taking thousands of cars off the roads. Crossrail will be crucial in keeping London and the UK globally competitive,” Forster adds.
Crossrail will run from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west through new tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. New stations will be created at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel and the Isle of Dogs (Canary Wharf).
The government says Crossrail is on track to be operational in 2017. Heathrow Express trains will continue to operate once it is completed, but Crossrail will replace the Heathrow Connect service that runs from Terminal 4 to Paddington station.
London Mayor Boris Johnson, who has recently advocated a new airport in the Thames estuary, also welcomes Crossrail. “Works have already begun at Tottenham Court Road station and the contracts to design and build the multi-billion pound project are all on track to be awarded by spring 2009. All parties are committed to Crossrail's success, and together we will deliver it on time and on budget,” says Johnson.
Written by: Nick Purdom
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