Safeguarding consultation on proposed route of Crossrail 2
Ten week consultation on protecting land for potential Crossrail 2 development.
London authorities, businesses and residents along the proposed Crossrail 2 route can have their say on plans to protect the route from conflicting development, as part of a consultation launched today (20 November 2014).
The 10 week safeguarding consultation will ensure any new development will not impact on the ability to build Crossrail 2 in the future. It will refresh the existing safeguarding directions for the line.
The Mayor of London, Transport for London and Network Rail have proposed the new railway line linking south west and north east London and beyond to meet future passenger demand across the capital. If built, Crossrail 2 will secure economic growth for the UK by attracting businesses and helping build new homes. The proposed route goes underground across central London, linking Tottenham Hale and New Southgate to Wimbledon.
Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said:
We know London is growing, and Crossrail 2 is one proposal that could help to meet the expected increase in transport demand. That is why we have contributed £2 million towards a feasibility study for funding the scheme and ensuring it is affordable to the taxpayer.
This consultation is an important step in the planning process and I would urge people in affected areas to tell us their views on our proposals to protect the potential route.
No decision has been taken on the construction of the line. However, the consultation is an opportunity for local authorities, businesses and members of the public to have their say on whether an updated safeguarding direction should be issued, after Transport for London and Network Rail set out their revised preferred route for Crossrail 2 in October. Safeguarding protects the land from conflicting development should the go-ahead be given for the scheme.
Should the decision be taken to safeguard the land, people who wish to develop property or land within the affected areas will have to consult Transport for London as part of the planning process. As most of the proposed route is underground, many property owners are unlikely to be directly affected by safeguarding.
Michèle Dix, Transport for London’s Managing Director for Planning, said:
Safeguarding the route is vital to delivering Crossrail 2, a proposed new high frequency, high capacity rail line linking southwest and northeast London. The new rail line could be delivered by 2029, providing shorter journey times across London and relieving pressure on suburban rail routes and existing Underground services. As the population in the capital continues to grow rapidly, this new railway would help support future economic growth and the delivery of many more new homes and jobs.
Transport for London has previously consulted on the plans for Crossrail 2, including the potential route, types of service and areas that will be served. The safeguarding consultation will not look at these issues. Transport for London and Network Rail will undertake further consultation, research and development work before any plans for Crossrail 2 could progress further.
The safeguarding consultation runs until 28 January 2015. Visit the consultation page to take part.
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Related Crossrail 2 documents
- Safeguarding direction for Crossrail 2, written ministerial statement published November 2014