Crossrail 2 hits another snag as consultations put back until end of 2018

Consultations on the Crossrail 2 project have hit another snag, with the Transport for London (TfL) commissioner conceding they would not take place until the end of 2018.

Speaking to the London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee, Mike Brown said the delay was caused by a need to wait for an independent finance review.

“I’m confident the momentum for Crossrail 2 is now very much real and alive and that actually that independent finance review will allow that favourable outcome to be delivered and will allow us to get into consultation towards the end of this year.”

He said he was hoping the financial review would be published within the next few months but conceded that “depended on those carrying out the review”.

Brown added he was still hopeful of being able to submit the application to parliament to build Crossrail 2 by early 2020.

TfL’s latest business case was drafted after the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said he wanted London to fund half of Crossrail 2’s £31bn construction cost.

Brown said it was not possible for TfL to share where its funding would come from until after the review had been completed.

Valerie Shawcross, deputy mayor for transport and deputy chair of TfL, said the London mayor Sadiq Khan and Grayling had “actually discussed a name for a person to carry out the independent review”.

She added the review was important as it was a joint project between TfL and government as the latter had other economic and policy responsibilities.

“The government has joint ownership and they want to carry out this review before it goes forward. The government is very positive about the project.”

In October, Crossrail 2 managing director Michele Dix had previously told Building that she hoped the project would be given the go-ahead before the end of 2017.

Last month, Grayling insisted Crossrail 2 remains a top priority for the government, despite issues around funding rumbling on.