The preferred route for the 14km Crossrail tunnel under London will be announced “ideally before Christmas”, according to the project’s head office. The method of funding for the multi-billion dollar project will also be announced.
The core section of the route, that includes 9km of tunnel, has already been determined between Heathrow, in the west and the Isle of Dogs in the east. From the Isle of Dogs, there are two possible alternatives, either: the route will go under the Thames to Charlton, through Greenwich to join the North Kent line at Woolwich Arsenal; or the line will go via the Royal Docks, under the Thames to emerge at Woolwich Arsenal. Crossrail will then either terminate at Dartford, or extend to be close to the new international station at Ebbsfleet.
The mainline extensions beyond Paddington, Heathrow and Stratford were still being discussed as T&TI went to press.
Crossrail, the company equally owned by the Strategic Rail Authority and Transport for London, will also announce the full details regarding the design and construction of the tunnels. Tunnel design manager for Crossrail, Gordon Torp-Peterson, said that all options are being explored, including the logistics of site access and method of construction.
More detailed designs will emerge over the course of next year. The key elements of the design will have to be decided by November 2003, which is when Crossrail will either deposit a Bill in the House of Commons, or go through the Transport and Works Act. Royal assent could be achieved in 2005, allowing the construction of the line to proceed.
Who will pay for the project has also led to extensive speculation, and Crossrail has been in close discussion with the Banc of America, which is providing financial advice. A spokesperson for Crossrail said that it had been a “chicken and egg” situation. “The funding will depend on the details of the project, but the type of funding will also influence the shape of the project,” he said. “As a result, everyone is working closely with the financial advisors.”
Crossrail will probably be financed by a combination of both government and private money; bond options as part of a PFI will be considered.
Details of the second Crossrail route running from King’s Cross station in the north, to Victoria in the south-west will be announced at a later date.
