Show us your money says Kelly with Crossrail on a knife-edge

In a dramatic interview with the Evening Standard, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly called on major firms to offer "very substantial contributions".

"Put real money on the table now," she declared in what will be interpreted as a challenge to major Crossrail supporters such as BA. "We need to see the colour of your money - and then we'll be in a position to take a decision on the affordability."

Taking business leaders by surprise, she said that those firms which were "clear beneficiaries" of the scheme should be prepared to dig deeper than the rest.

"We are expecting some clear beneficiaries of the project to contribute," she said. "I want the private sector to turn its words into real contributions."

She increased pressure further by setting a deadline for a deal to be struck - the unveiling of the Comprehensive Spending Review this autumn.

The tough stance by Ms Kelly, who was giving her first interview as Transport Secretary, comes on the same day that members of the Campaign for Crossrail lobbying group are meeting her to be briefed on the future of Crossrail. They called on her to clarify how much they are being expected to pay but said they were more than willing to "talk turkey".

Despite recent speculation of a final go-ahead announcement at the Labour Party conference next week, there is now the prospect of weeks of heavy-duty negotiations, with billions of pounds - and the future of Crossrail - at stake.

Businesses like BA, Heathrow Airport and Canary Wharf are likely to be among Ms Kelly's targets for donations because they stand to be big gainers when the railway is finally built.

Ms Kelly refused to be drawn on how much she wanted from individual companies but made clear that she wants more than the three pence on London business rates that private sector leaders have proposed so far. "Londoners in particular are going to benefit from Crossrail and it is right, I think, that there should be some contribution from Londoners," she said.

"But there are also going to be particular beneficiaries from the project and I think it's time to get that trade-off right and get cash contributions as well."

Asked if she meant millions or billions, the minister replied: "We are looking for very substantial

contributions." Ms Kelly insisted ministers were hugely committed to Crossrail and pointed out that the Government had already spent £400 million and put legislation before Parliament. "I would like to be the Transport Secretary who is able to give it the go-ahead."

She recalled: "We were having this meeting on Tuesday and one of the officials said: 'Do you know, 20 years ago I went into No 10 and br iefed Margare t Thatcher on Crossrail?'

"This is a project that has befuddled governments for a very long time. Now we are almost there."

Asked what would be the consequences if the comprehensive spending review deadline were not met, she refused to rule out the scheme being delayed for years or abandoned altogether.

Business chiefs have long accused the Government of keeping them in the dark about the "funding gap" that the private sector is meant to make up. They will demandmore clarity at today's talks so they can decide how best to find the money.

Baroness Valentine, chief executive of business organisation London First, said: "If today's the day that Ruth Kelly wants to 'talk turkey' we're more than ready."