Leaders from some of the UK’s largest construction companies have signed a letter to the chancellor urging him to continue funding the development of Crossrail 2.
Signatories to the letter include Laing O’Rourke boss Ray O’Rourke, Taylor Woodrow managing director Julian Gatward, Arup deputy chairman David Whittleton and Civil Engineering Contractors Association chief executive Alasdair Reisner.
The letter sets out the benefits of Crossrail 2 and warns that overcrowding on the rail network is stunting growth across the nation and that bottlenecks at stations are already intolerable for commuters.
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It says a commitment from ministers would show the world that the UK is open for business despite its looming exit from the European Union.
The government has so far provided funding for the planning stages of the £32bn project, which will provide a new southwest-northeast rail link under London.
Transport for London has submitted an updated business case and funding plan to the transport secretary, who is expected to make a decision in the spring on further government support. Construction could start in the early 2020s and the railway could be operational by 2033.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “This is yet more evidence of just how important Crossrail 2 is to the UK. Business leaders know it will bring hundreds of thousands of jobs and housing, and transport benefits right across the southeast, as well as boosting the economy in all corners of the country.
“Despite the project benefiting the whole of the UK, London has actually met half the funding cost. What we now need is for the government to take note of these benefits and give us the green light to progress, for the good of the entire country.”
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