Rail industry says Crossrail 1 delay should not impact future projects like Crossrail 2

9 January 2019

Following a London Assembly Transport Committee meeting today on Crossrail 1, the Railway Industry Association (RIA), which represents over 240 UK rail suppliers, is urging policy makers not to delay a decision on Crossrail 2.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association said: “From discussions at the London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee on 7 January and at the Transport Committee today, it has become clear that money earmarked for Crossrail 2 will be diverted to completing Crossrail 1.

“Whilst this delay in the opening of Crossrail is regrettable – and the rail industry must always learn lessons on delivering major projects to deadline and budget - we should remember that schemes like Crossrail and Crossrail 2 have a transformational impact on the UK, its economy and connectivity and therefore a delay to one should not affect decisions on the other.

 “Both these schemes are urgently needed to meet growing demand for rail services. Crossrail 1 will deliver over 57,000 new homes, generate 55,000 jobs and add over £42 billion to the UK economy, benefits that will far exceed the final cost of the project, and Crossrail 2 will similarly support 200,000 new homes, 60,000 new jobs during the project and a 10% increase in rail capacity.

“We need the Government, Greater London Authority, industry and stakeholders to work together to find innovative ways of finishing Crossrail and, ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review later this year, to find funding and safeguard the route for Crossrail 2 - alongside progressing projects like HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, Trans Pennine Upgrade, East West Rail, across the country.”

1. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. We promote and represent our members’ interests to policy makers, clients and other stakeholders in the UK and overseas. RIA has 240+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £36 billion in economic growth and £11 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 600,000 people—more than the workforce of Birmingham. It is also a growing industry with the number of rail journeys expected to double over the next 25 years and freight set to grow significantly too. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). RIA works to promote the importance of the rail system to UK plc, to help export UK expertise around the globe and to share best practice and innovation across the industry.