Londoners show support for Crossrail 2

Proposals to further expand London’s urban rail network have been given public backing, a consultation has shown.

Out of 14,000 people questioned, 95 per cent supported the principle of building Crossrail 2 – a new north east-south west line along the safeguarded route of the Chelsea-Hackney Line.

Transport for London (TfL) presented two possible approaches, a metro option and a regional option, for increasing capacity on London’s rail network, connecting the West Anglia Main Line and South Western Main Line.

The consultation marks another step forward in the life of the project, having already been awarded £2 million for feasibility studies to be carried out.

TfL’s managing director of planning, Michele Dix, said: “Crossrail 2 is vital if we are to support the predicted 10 million people that are expected to be living in London by 2031.

“The positive response we have received from the public and stakeholders for Crossrail 2 is really encouraging – it could be operational in 2030 but it is essential that work continues now to meet this target.”