Crossrail 2 would show that Britain is “open for business” said more than 50 cross-party MPs who have called on the Government to back the rail project.
The 59 MPs have today delivered a letter to the Chancellor Phillip Hammond and transport secretary Chris Grayling, urging them to support the new rail lines that would directly connect south-west London and north Surrey to the heart of London.
MPs from the region, including Stephen Hammond, Dr Tania Mathias, James Berry, Dominic Raab, Clive Efford, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Sarah Olney, Tom Brake, Steve Reed, Paul Scully, Crispin Blunt, Siobhain McDonagh, Bob Neill and Chris Philp were among the signatories.
The letter outlined the proposed benefits of connecting National Rail networks in Surrey and Hertfordshire with an underground tunnel in central London between Wimbledon and Tottenham Hale and New Southgate.
According to the letter, the project will: “Give the whole nation a £150bn economic boost, supporting 200,000 new jobs, as well as 18,000 jobs and apprenticeships directly and 60,000 jobs through its supply chain nationwide during construction.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The government cannot ignore the growing national demand for it to back Crossrail 2. The fact that more than 50 MPs from across the country have crossed political lines to join together shows just how important the project is for the whole nation.
“It is essential for the UK economy, for jobs, for the housing market, for our transport network and sends a real message to the world that Britain is open for business. We’ve shown how London can pay directly for half of the cost; it’s time the government gave its unwavering support so the UK can benefit.”
It is suggested construction could begin in the early 2020s and the railway could be operational by 2033.
According to Lloyds Bank, houses close to the Crossrail 1 route, named the Elizabeth line and which begins to operate in 2018, rose in value by an average of 22 per cent between 2014 and 2016, compared to an average growth of 14 per cent for surrounding local authority areas and a 13 per cent rise for Greater London.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We have received the Strategic Outline Business Case from Transport for London. This needs to be carefully considered to ensure it is robust and includes a fair, sustainable and deliverable funding plan.”
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