Crossrail pledge deserves credit

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This is not just about easing strain on the Tube. What is at stake is the functioning of the most productive part of the British economy, one which delivers a net £20 billion to the rest of the country.

This newspaper has campaigned hard over the years to show how vital it is to support the London success story with decent infrastructure. Crossrail is important not only for the City, but for the regeneration of east London and beyond. After 18 years of waiting, it is essential that today's announcement by Mr Brown is not followed by the unravelling of a deal painfully negotiated with the City Corporation over recent weeks amid talk of a General Election.

Contributions from BAA, Canary Wharf and other large City firms are said to be in place, along with the plans for premium fares, but the details of the supplementary business rate to be paid by London companies from 2010 have not yet been revealed. The enabling Bill has to pass through Parliament, along with legislation to raise the supplementary rate.

And while Crossrail has been inching out of the engine shed, in another part of the public transport network the wreckage created by the collapse of Metronet has still to be paid for. Progress on Crossrail cannot be used as an excuse for imposing those costs on Londoners rather than national taxpayers.

There must be no delay, either, on plans for the Thameslink upgrade, Chelsea-Hackney line and other rail improvements here and in the wider South East. Crossrail will, however, add 10 per cent to London's rail capacity, and the Prime Minister and his Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, deserve credit for their commitment today.