The rush-hour crush is one of London’s most notorious travel problems, but Boris Johnson’s proposed £20bn Crossrail 2 scheme could save cranky commuters by offering more frequent trains and faster journeys.
The possibility of another major transport link took a step closer to reality when Mr Johnson revealed his case for the high frequency and high capacity rail line at the City Age conference last week.
In his speech he said Crossrail 2, which would link southwest and north east London, is: “A vital project not just for the capital, but also for the regions from which people travel in to London on packed trains.”
The Mayor argued that even with Crossrail 1 already in place and the Underground’s modernisation programme, Crossrail 2 is needed to expand the London transport network in order for it to cope with the city’s growing population.
London’s population is expected to reach 10million by 2030 and 11.3million by 2050, at which point the demand for public transport will have increased by 60 percent on the Underground and 80 percent on the national rail network.
Mr Johnson also claimed the rail line would be unique in that it would minimise overcrowding on the Tube and national rail networks as well as reduce journey times.
For example, a journey from Kingston to Tottenham Court Road would take just 29 minutes, 17 minutes faster than today, while a journey from Dalston to Tottenham Court Road would take just eight minutes rather than 19 minutes.
If the scheme is approved by the government next year then it is expected to be completed by 2030.
While there have been concerns about house prices drastically increasing in areas linked by the new train line, Mr Johnson says this will not be the case.
In fact he insists that Crossrail 2 will support the creation of up to 200,000 new and affordable homes across London.
It would also transport up to 90,000 people into central London in the morning peak hours, which would support the London economy.
Just as with Crossrail 1, the new rail line will generate 75,000 business opportunities and support the equivalent of 55,000 full time jobs.
Proposed stations on Crossrail 2:
Alexandra Palace
Turnpike Lane
Seven Sisters
Tottenham Hale
Dalston Junction
Angel
Euston St. Pancras
Tottenham Court Road
Victoria
King’s Road Chelsea – New Station
Clapham Junction
Tooting Broadway
Wimbledon
Picture courtesy of Annie Mole, with thanks
