POLITICAL enemies Alistair Darling and Boris Johnson have put aside their differences to assert that the £16 billion Crossrail project will go ahead despite the credit crunch.

Their comments follow the announcement that airport operator BAA has pledged £230 million for the scheme, to allow it to link with Heathrow Airport.

That announcement was made at Paddington station by the new rail minister, Lord Adonis – who is in charge of major infrastructure schemes – and he was joined by London mayor Boris Johnson, to underline the cross-party support for the project.
Chancellor Mr Darling had already said that the Government intended to “maintain investment” in the project, despite the economic downturn, and that it would open in 2017 as planned.

Mr Johnson said it was vital to have sustained investment in big infrastructure projects such as Crossrail, to help the capital get through the coming recession.

“When credit has dried up, when confidence has collapsed, it is the duty of the Gov-ernment to keep the economy moving with sensible and affordable investment,” he told reporters.

“That is why it is vital to push on with the big infrastructure projects in London that will not only deliver jobs and growth in the short term, but which will help to make the capital and the UK economy better placed, long term, to compete.”

Lord Adonis said: “Crossrail is the largest addition to the transport network in 50 years, and today’s announcement that BAA has confirmed a £230 million funding package for the project represents a major step towards its delivery.

“This is a hugely important scheme for the country,”

Mr Johnson added: “The agreement with BAA is very welcome news and underlines the commitment that businesses, as well as TfL and the Government, are showing to-wards delivering the funding package for Crossrail.”

BAA strategy director Mike Forster said supporting Cross-rail demonstrated the company’s commitment to improving public transport access to Heathrow.
Building and running Cross-rail is estimated to generate an extra 30,000 jobs and put at least £20 billion into the UK economy.

Work is due to start in 2010, with Crossrail becoming operational in 2017, providing a 10 per cent increase in public transport capacity in London.

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