|
Network Rail has attempted to head off any major cuts to the £16.5bn Crossrail project by promising to deliver the scheme cheaper and quicker. It is widely assumed that Chancellor George Osborn will downgrade the East-West London rail link in his October spending review by 5%. Earlier this week it was alleged that Mayor Boris Johnson threatened to quit over the threat to Crossrail. The rail infrastructure operator has submitted detailed costs and plans for designing, developing and delivering the above ground parts of the scheme. It said: "Extensive modeling and planning has gone into the submission, and cost savings have been identified in areas such as quicker ways to build parts of the scheme. Not only will this save money, it will also mean less disruption for passengers as it is built – a win for everyone involved." Crossrail will now evaluate Network Rail's costs and plans, and report back by 31 December 2010. The Department of Transport is under pressure to find budget cuts of 25% - Crossrail may be trimmed by five per cent, meaning Mayor Boris Johnson will have to find £800 million. This would undoubtedly see Abbey Wood and Maidenhead stations scrubbed. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond is known to favour plowing money into maintenance programmes rather than big ticket projects. Robbie Burns, programme director, Network Rail, said: "We have delivered what we believe is an affordable costs package to Crossrail for the surface works, on time and under budget. Value for money is a key element of the Network Rail submission and we have worked closely with Crossrail to make that so. Network Rail will continue to work with Crossrail so that the surface works are as cost effective as possible.” Rob Holden, Crossrail chief executive added: "Crossrail continues to make significant progress with work now underway at Bond Street, Canary Wharf, Farringdon, Paddington and Tottenham Court Road. Crossrail is not just about building new tunnels and stations but also involves a major upgrade to the existing rail network. Network Rail’s costs for surface works will be a key component of Crossrail’s updated delivery cost submission to government and Transport for London as project sponsors later this year." Photo - TfL
|
