Former Crossrail boss blames delay on rolling stock decision

By Joey Gardiner and Dave Rogers2018-09-13T06:00:00

Rob Holden says earlier procurement of trains was essential to allow adequate integration with signalling

The first chief executive of Crossrail has blamed a decision to delay procurement of rolling stock for the failure of the £16bn rail route to hit its December 2018 opening date.

Crossrail’s current bosses last week blamed slow construction fit-out and an explosion last autumn at an electrical sub-station, compounded by slower than expected progress on testing the railway’s new signalling system, for pushing the opening back until autumn 2019.

But former boss Rob Holden told Building the political furore over the decision in summer 2013 to award German firm Siemens the £1.6bn contract to supply trains for the Thameslink line ahead of Derby-based Bombardier meant crucial delays occurred when the deal to hand out the £1bn Crossrail contract was made.

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