Council leaders have called on the Government to consider financial devolution measures to help ensure that work on Crossrail 2 can start by 2020.
Representatives of councils from across London, the south east and east of England have written to Lord Adonis, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), to say they are ‘ready and willing to work with the Commission and government’.
Councils moot 'further use of stamp duty' for Crossrail 2
The councils called for a commitment to Crossrail 2, including contributions to funding, ‘together with examining further the use of stamp duty receipts’.
They are also seeking a commitment from the Government and Transport for London to continue working with them to ensure ‘maximum benefits’ from the project.
The council leaders’ letter says this ‘could include working on further branches and extensions, for example stretching the line as far as Woking and examining the case for an extension to Dorking; examining the potential to extend four-tracking of the West Anglia Mainline to Harlow and extending the route to east London to support the “city of the east”’.
The letter also asks Lord Adonis to set out the NIC’s support for Crossrail 2 when it reports to government prior to the Budget on 16 March.
Cllr Claire Kober, London Councils’ executive member for infrastructure and regeneration, said: ‘Crossrail 2 represents a fantastic opportunity to underpin the economic future of London, the south east and East of England for future generations.
‘London has always committed to contribute financially to Crossrail 2 as it has done with Crossrail. Local authorities outside London are also willing to explore how their areas could contribute, in return for greater flexibility and financial freedoms which will allow them to raise the necessary funds.’
Cllr Jason Ablewhite, chairman of the East of England Local Government Association, said: ‘Councils in the East of England want to work with the National Infrastructure Commission to secure commitment to Crossrail 2 and to other priority infrastructure projects that are of significance for the East of England.’
He added: ‘It is time for us to make a strong case for investment in transport links across the East and take a more prominent role in shaping future infrastructure commitments.’
