Boris Johnson's appointment today of former Conservative mayoral contender Steve Norris as head of City Hall's Crossrail team is a wise choice. As new City of London chief executive Stuart Fraser warns in our interview with him today, there is a real risk that the Government could try to backtrack on the vital £16 billion cross-London rail link. Now the plan needs strong leadership to push it through.

The temptation during an economic squeeze to trim the £5 billion cost to the Treasury - especially if the project helps burnish a Tory mayor's reputation - could prove irresistible to ministers. But it would be utterly wrong headed and short-sighted. Crossrail is essential to take the strain of the capital's creaking transport infrastructure, and to safeguard London's future economic growth and international competitiveness.

While Mr Norris's many business interests in transport might have made him an inappropriate choice as head of Transport for London, his Cross-rail job will let him take the lead where he has proven experience - pushing to keep this single, huge transport project on track. Crossrail must not be allowed to fall victim either to cost-cutting or political power-plays. Now Mr Norris and the new Mayor must make sure that the scheme really does happen.

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