Crossrail has targeted Ken Shuttleworth to be a design champion for the £16bn project.

It is understood the director of Make Architects is in talks to lead a panel to assess stations and ensure design quality is upheld.

Graham Morrison, of Allies and Morrison, and Maurice Green, of Scott Brownrigg, have been approached to join the panel. A source said: “Crossrail is definitely setting something up, and Shuttleworth has had talks to chair it.”

The role of Design for London and CABE is unclear, although a DfL spokesperson said it was “extremely likely” that it would be involved. She said: “We’re looking forward to being involved at a senior level when the formal design review process starts.”

David Ubaka, head of DfL urban environment, would be the most likely candidate for the panel, as he sat on a temporary design panel for Crossrail in 2006. Morrison was also on this panel.

Architects that have carried out work on Crossrail stations include Wilkinson Eyre, Ian Ritchie, BDP and John McAslan.

Crossrail would not confirm it was putting together a panel but said it was “currently undergoing a review of station designs”.

Shuttleworth and Morrison would not comment on the potential panel, while Maurice Green was unavailable for comment.

Postscript

The development of Birmingham New Street station moved closer this week as the government announced £388m of funding. Atkins confirmed that it had been appointed preferred bidder for the detail design of the station, while the selection of a concept designer is due to be announced by Network Rail and the RIBA next week.

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