Comment: Back on track

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Today's signals that the transport secretary, Ruth Kelly, intends to push through the necessary legislation for Crossrail before Parliament rises for the summer recess are most welcome. Her intervention comes at an important time. The public finances are under pressure as the economy falters, while Ken Livingstone, who helped bludgeon the final deal on Crossrail through earlier this year, has now been replaced by Boris Johnson. There have been whispers that the vital east-west rail link could be trimmed back or have its timetable postponed. This must not happen.

As Ms Kelly appreciates, the Crossrail Bill must receive royal assent this month in order for detailed design work to start on the scheme later this year - in order for construction to start in 2010. Even then it will not be operating until 2017, 30 years since it was first mooted.

Yet as the City faces an economic downturn, Crossrail is more vital than ever in order to keep London's transport infrastructure viable - a crucial part of London's international competitiveness. It is an investment in the future prosperity of the whole country, not just the capital - and its schedule must not be allowed to slip again.