Consultation begins on rail vision
A consultation is now underway on the vision for a Crossrail 2 scheme which would provide another link into central London from Wimbledon.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson backed the launch of the consultation on the proposed scheme when he visited Wimbledon town centre today.
The consultation will seek the views of people in London and the south east of England and will run from today to August 2.
It aims to establish what level of support there is for the project and where the public and stakeholders would like Crossrail 2 to serve. The public are encouraged to respond and share their views at www.crossrail2.co.uk.
The new line, which wouldn't open until the early 2030s, is aimed at relieving congestion on the Victoria, Northern and Picadilly lines.
It would give a proposed journey time from Wimbledon to Tottenham Court Road of just 14 minutes.
There are two options being proposed - a Metro option and a Regional option. Both involve trains from Wimbledon - but the Regional option would see them go beyond Wimbledon into Surrey, while the Metro plan terminate at Wimbledon.
A route for Crossrail 2, formerly known as the Chelsea-Hackney Line, has been kept free from any intrusive building development since 1991 and any new buildings along the route have been constructed to allow for a potential new railway line.
Boris Johnson said: "Crossrail is set to revolutionise travel in the capital, and with a predicted 10 million people expected to be living in London by 2031, pressing ahead with the next stage of the plan, Crossrail 2, is quite simply essential.
"In order to support this great capital;s bright future, we need to think ahead and not wait until our transport arteries are clogged up and restricting jobs and growth. That's why I am sending out a rallying cry for the public’s support for this consultation – come and share your views so we can progress with Crossrail 2 as soon as possible."
"The sooner the better to get Crossrail 2 started for SW London, hence our launch with the Mayor at Wimbledon today. I have been pressing for Crossrail 2 to be started as soon as Crossrail 1 is completed."
Richard Tracey AM for Merton and Wandsworth added:
"The sooner the better to get Crossrail 2 started for SW London, hence our launch with the Mayor at Wimbledon today. I have been pressing for Crossrail 2 to be started as soon as Crossrail 1 is completed."
May 14, 2013
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