§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) who will have responsibility and over what timescale for taking forward the proposals on Crossrail contained in his Department's 10 year transport plan; and if he will make a statement; [132516]
590W(2) if it is his policy that the proposed Crossrail link should connect with the Chiltern Line; and if he will make a statement. [132517]
§ Mr. HillThe Government's 10 Year Transport Plan announced last week by the Deputy Prime Minister envisages that an east-west rail link will go ahead. The shadow Strategic Rail Authority is currently undertaking a review of the possible east-west cross-London links and expects to report its findings to Ministers by the end of the year. Crossrail is one option for providing through services which will be considered and funding for preparatory work for an east-west rail link, such as Crossrail, was included in London's settlement under the spending review announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor last week. The Mayor will wish to consider Crossrail in the light of his priorities for an integrated transport strategy for London. A number of options exist for the westerly connections to the Crossrail option, including the Chiltern lines.