Crossrail delayed further as cost could now exceed £19bn

摘要

THE central section of Crossrail between Paddington and Abbey Wood is now not expected to open until the first half of 2022. It is also expected to cost up to £1.1 billion more than the financing package agreed in December 2018, meaning that the final cost of the new railway could top £19bn. The announcement was made the day after a Crossrail board meeting on August 20, with the delay blamed on lower-than-expected productivity, greater insight into the completion and handover of the ten central section stations, and restrictions imposed by COVID-19. Crossrail Chief Executive Mark Wild said: Our focus remains on opening the Elizabeth Line as soon as possible. Now, more than ever, Londoners are relying on the capacity and connectivity that the Elizabeth Line will bring, and we are doing everything possible to deliver the railway as safely and quickly as we can.