Crossrail (Hansard, 4 February 2002)

§ Chris Grayling
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will take steps to promote crossrail through a hybrid bill. [32946]

§ Mr. Spellar
A final decision has yet to be taken on the most appropriate method for securing powers for any crossrail scheme.

§ Chris Grayling
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether the promoters of crossrail will be able to bring forward and construct the scheme earlier than envisaged in the SRA strategic plan; and if he will provide public financial support for such a move. [32947]

§ Mr. Spellar
As the plan states, options for taking forward the scheme are being developed by the SRA/TfL joint venture Cross London Rail Links Ltd. Timing of the next stages will depend on the outcome of that work, and construction of a scheme will depend upon the necessary powers being obtained.

§ Chris Grayling
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he last met the Mayor of London to discuss crossrail. [32948]

§ Mr. Spellar
Various crossrail issues were on the agenda when I chaired the most recent meeting of the High-Level London Rail Group on 17 January. The Mayor of London and the chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority are co-members of the group.

§ Mr. Colman
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what status the Crossrail project has within the Strategic Rail Authority plans up to 2010; and if he will make a statement. [30737]

§ Mr. Jamieson
The SRA's Strategic Plan makes it clear that a number of major schemes, including Crossrail, are being explored further in terms of feasibility and value for money. The authority has underlined its commitment to Crossrail by providing half of the £154 million funding for the new company which is currently undertaking development work.