Study Launched into New Tube Line from Parsons Green

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Crossrail 2 would provide fast route through Central London

Business membership organisation London First has launched a working group of business leaders to examine the case for Crossrail 2, a new underground link also known as the Chelsea Hackney, or Chelney route.

According to existing maps and plans, which were safeguarded in 2008, this line would provide a fast route from Fulham through central and east London.

The line would connect to the Wimbledon branch of the District Line at Parsons Green, and then would run through a new station in Kings Road and onto Sloane Square, Victoria, Piccadilly Circus and Tottenham Court Road.

It would then continue to either to Euston or Kings's Cross St Pancras and then through stations in East London to Hackney Central and Homerton.

Safeguarding means that local planning authorities must consult with Crossrail regarding planning applications within the limits shown on the safeguarding plans before granting planning approval, as they may conflict with the proposed route.

The line has been mooted since the 1970s, and is included among long term aims in Mayor Boris Johnson's London Plan.

London First says Central London’s rail and underground networks are currently heavily congested in peak hours. Committed investment through Crossrail, the Tube upgrade programme and Thameslink will give a much needed boost to commuting capacity over the coming decade, but with around 1.3 million more people and over 750,000 more jobs expected in London over the next 20 years, planning for the next generation of transport improvements post 2020 must begin now.

The working group will complement Transport for London’s existing work on Crossrail 2 as well as the Government’s work in developing a new high speed rail network through the midlands to the North West and to Yorkshire which will terminate at Euston.

Tube services at Euston are already heavily congested at peak hours and forecasts show that unless additional provision is made for the onward dispersal of passengers, the time savings from a new Manchester to London high speed rail link would be lost in queueing to access the Tube at Euston.

Complementary investment in London’s transport network will therefore be required to ensure passengers can seamlessly continue their journeys when they arrive in the capital. The study will explore Crossrail 2’s potential to provide this relief.

Chaired by former Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis, the group will draw on work previously undertaken by Transport for London on a route for "Crossrail 2" between Chelsea and Hackney. It will examine current demand and congestion forecasts on the Tube post 2020; assess the impact on the Tube of new national projects like HS2; and analyse the business case for further investment in a new cost effective link to increase capacity, relieve congestion and improve transport connections within London. Detailed route planning issues will not be considered in the initial phase.

Jo Valentine, Chief Executive of London First, says: " London's continued ability to attract talent and investment from around the world depends on sustained investment in our infrastructure. London First campaigned for Crossrail from our inception in 1992. It took 15 years to persuade Government to commit to a scheme and services will only begin running in 2018.

" We need to start planning for the next generation of improvements now. That’s why I’m delighted that Andrew Adonis has agreed to help us begin the long-term task of planning its successor project."

Andrew Adonis says: " HS2 will transform the UK’s north-south links, but complementary planning is required to effectively integrate it with London’s crowded underground networks.

" London First was instrumental in building a case for Crossrail that reached across business and politics and I am delighted to be working with them to assess the potential for a successor scheme."

Daniel Moylan, Deputy Chairman, Transport for London, said: "The Mayor’s Transport Strategy promotes a new underground line, Crossrail 2, based on the long safeguarded Chelsea-Hackney line. This is needed in the longer term to reduce crowding and congestion on existing routes, but also to meet London’s growth and provide connections to the National Rail network, including the dispersal of people across London from main line termini. The introduction of HS2 will increase this need considerably.

" The Mayor therefore welcomes the interest London First is showing in examining the case for Crossrail 2. TfL will be continuing its work on the proposal alongside London First and will be offering technical support to their inquiry. We look forward to seeing the outcome of London First’s work.”

The group will form independent recommendations through an interim report in the New Year and a full report later in 2012.

 

 

 

October 21, 2011