The Crossrail Ltd Board yesterday met and considered the latest update from the leadership team concerning progress to complete the Elizabeth line. This follows an update after the July Board where it was announced that the central section could not open in summer 2021.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on today’s news about the further delayed opening of Crossrail said:
“Covid might partly explain these latest delays, but they are only part of the picture as even Crossrail admits.
“The consequences of Crossrail opening two and half years late are immense. The project has soared in cost and every day it is not open valuable fare income is being lost to TfL and this vital new railway is not open to Londoners.
“The impact of Crossrail’s delay will also be felt right across London with other vital transport projects delayed and cancelled.
“Sadiq Khan cannot continue to run away from responsibility as Crossrail is jointly sponsored by both the Department for Transport and TfL. The lack of oversight and control of the project has been woeful over the years.
“Even now Sadiq Khan demonstrates no confidence that he is in control of this project.
“Just two weeks ago Sadiq Khan was saying that Crossrail was ‘nearing the point when the railway can enter full testing and Trial Running.’ “
“Two days later we find out that a precise date is not even available for this vital work to start in 2021.”
