Crossrail ‘could open even later and cost extra £400 million’

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Ross Lydall @RossLydall19 September 2019

Crossrail could cost an additional £400 million and open even later than already planned, it has emerged.

Bosses admitted the train scheme, two years behind schedule and £2 billion over budget, is at risk of further delays and overspends.

They told Mayor Sadiq Khan they still expect it to open within a six-month “window” to March 2021, and for savings to be made to offset the rising costs.

But they admitted the “next few months will be very challenging indeed” and that, in the current worst-case scenario, the central section may not open until the “middle of 2021” — at least three months later than planned.

One of the platforms for the new Elizabeth Line at Bond Street station pictured last month 
Victoria Jones/PA

There is a 50 per cent chance that at least an extra £42 million will be required — and a 20 per cent chance this could rise beyond £394 million.

The 73-mile Elizabeth line should have been opened by the Queen last December, linking Reading and Heathrow with Shenfield and Abbey Wood. Transport for London, which oversees the £17.6 billion build with the Department for Transport, is planning an announcement to the London Stock Exchange and is drawing up contingency plans in case more money is needed.

A walkway for the new Elizabeth Line at Bond Street station pictured last month
Victoria Jones/PA

TfL’s finance chiefs are assessing how to plug any black hole in its accounts if it has to wait longer for Crossrail fares. It already faces a £600 million loss of fares income over the next five years.

Crossrail chairman Tony Meggs yesterday told the TfL board that severe construction delays at Bond Street station could affect the entire schedule.

“We are still within the six-month delivery window … but I would emphasise that we are in a very high-risk phase … the timetable and schedule are challenging,” he said.

Train testing is due to begin in the first quarter of 2020 but this cannot happen until Bond Street can be used as an evacuation route. It had been announced that the station would not open when the line starts running in central London. But it still requires fire brigade approval that it is safe enough to be used for evacuations.

Only two of the 30 stations, tunnels and portals due to be finished in the next few months have been completed.

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