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The future of Crossrail was thrown into doubt today after the Tories admitted they could not commit to the £16 billion project.
Shadow London minister Justine Greening said it was even possible a Tory government could scrap the cross-capital rail link.
She said that although Crossrail was important to London she was unable to give a “line-by-line” budget before winning power. It comes just two days after David Cameron's manifesto “supported” the east-west link, although there was no cast-iron guarantee.
Labour leapt on her words as proof the Tories were considering dropping the project, which will deliver thousands of jobs, cut journey times and be a huge boost for business.
Work has already begun on the line, including at Tottenham Court Road and Farringdon. Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said: “The Tories' supposed commitment to Crossrail lasted just two days. Now Justine Greening has exposed the weasel words in the Tory manifesto for what they are.”
However, London Mayor Boris Johnson said he had received private assurances from the Conservative leader that it would “almost certainly” go ahead.
Pressed as to whether the Tories might scrap Crossrail, Ms Greening said on LBC radio: “I can't give a guarantee that it will continue. It's possible, but we've always said that we think it's an important project. What we can't do before the election is finished is write a budget when we're not in government.”
Business groups expressed concerns that the Tories had not fully signed up to the link despite their manifesto. But Baroness Valentine, chief executive of London First, said: “Justine is a powerful advocate for London and understands the vital importance of transport investment to economic growth.”
A spokesman for the Mayor, who supports Crossrail, said: “We appreciate the wider strategic considerations if the Conservatives firmly committed at this stage to Crossrail... However, David Cameron has indicated both publicly and privately to the Mayor that this is a hugely attractive investment that ticks all the right boxes and would almost certainly continue under a Conservative government.”
A Conservative spokesman said: “Our Manifesto is very clear: We support Crossrail'. Our position has not changed.”
Reader views (13)
If Crossrail is scrapped, you can wave goodbye to London being the world's financial centre and the prinicple driver of our exports to balance our payments. Major institutions, companies and banks will relocate their HQ's to Frankfurt, Hong Kong and New York.
- paul, London, England, 26/04/2010 12:18
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You can't be serious, Sandro.
Holborn to Stratford is the longest overcrowded stretch of the tube and Crossrail is the answer.
Stations are already being built. Network Rail has tenders out for sensitive projects at Abbey Wood, Acton and Airport Junction.
Tunnelling tenders are already in, with contacts to be awarded this summer.
Would a Conservative government stop or delay any of this, or just mess about?
- Alan Griffiths, Forest Gate, LONDON, 16/04/2010 09:56
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Proof of the total incompetence of a Tory Cameron government who cant tell the difference between expenditure and investment with Crossrail being one of the best investments London can make to ensure it has a future.
It should also be remembered that Crossrail also serves Essex,Berkshire and Oxfordshire and therefore commuters in these counties should realise the decades of overcrowded trains will continue if they vote for Cameron!!
As to funding a large part comes from the private sector like Canary Whalf (where the dock for the station has been drained and work on goung!) and BAA at Heathrow if the Tories play around with Crossrail then these and other investers can say they will not pay for Crossrail a 2nd time.
On a wider basis this will send a message to private investers that a Cameron government might cancel a project at any time meaning that no further PPP , PFI or other private investment in infrustructure, hospitals,schools etc will be made as long as Cameron is in power all monies will have to come from the state!!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 15/04/2010 19:00
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The Toffees,whoops I meant Tories are not bothered with commoners using Public Transportation. They'll probably waive the congestion charge for those who drive Bentleys and Porsche. They will probably abolish "Equal Employment Opportunities". The Democrats are back in power in the States but the Republicans will be back next month in the UK.
- Mark, London, 15/04/2010 17:59
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So, all that stuff from Dave about rebalancing the economy in manufacturing and investing in other areas of the economy was all fluff then? Qu'elle surprise.
- Mike, London, 15/04/2010 17:38
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Anyone who thinks Crossrail isn't needed hasn't got a clue about day to day life in London.
We desperately need this, fuel is going to get even more expensive in years to come and public transport is going to be the only way to travel in London, it already is for most of us.
- Bob, Oval, 15/04/2010 17:08
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Wispy Wonder-It works for me best bud, the married are more inclined to support their own issue,less inclined to demand money in taxes from others, who work hard, to support the hoards of kids banged out,as of right,by themselfs and for themselfs,by the ,lone parent by choice ,i am a hero give us ya money brigade.
- Frank, Flamborough Yorkshire, 15/04/2010 16:30
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Crossrail is desperately needed and so is the money to pay for it. No guarantee could sensibly be given now - the money for tax breaks would not cover the cost - and no doubt the plan could be resurrected when finance is available. Married people may not be any more worthy than anyone else, but the institution itself is worth support and research shows that it is.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 15/04/2010 15:14
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Great news & it's what I've said all along, the Tories don't want it, most of London doesn't want it or certainly need it! What for...spend £16 billion (it will cost well over £20 billion within the next few years) just so a few City snobs can cut down their travel time to & from work by 30 minutes!! Roll on May 6th..the Tories back in power & this waste of time & immensly expensive project to be finally scrapped once & for all!! Some minor work has started on it around the Tottenham Court Road area but it's not as advanced as some people would like to believe so scrapping this project would actually be very easy!
- Sandro, London, 15/04/2010 14:50
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Oh, no, not again!
Crossrail is badly needed now, in the depths of a recession, and will be far more badly needed when the recovery comes. By building it now it will be ready for that recovery. By building it now it will create jobs for many who need them. By building it now the public will get the best deal from companies desperate for the contracts.
Putting off investment in infrastructrure is the reason the capital is in such a mess today. Tube, water mains, sewers were all victims of previous short-sighted economy measures. Not again, please!
- Nigel, London, 15/04/2010 13:58
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Typical. Rather than invest in a project that will bring immediate and long term benefits to thousands of people, the Tories are more interested in tax benefits to married couple (as if they're somehow more worthy) and bringing back hunting.
Well that all makes sense..... Not!
- Wispy Wonder, London, 15/04/2010 13:50
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@ tony, london
Get real Tony (your surname's not BLAIR is it???). With the state of the country's finances do we really need to spend £16bn on Crossrail - I don't think so!! All the parties agree that cuts have to be made and any cut is bound to have a negative effect on some p[art of the population. Crossrail, whilst 'desireable' is NOT 'essential' and as such must be a very valid prospect to be postponed until finances are better.
- Malcolm, London, 15/04/2010 13:41
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What a disgrace. Crossrail is desperately needed. Only those who don't travel by public transport could think it is not essential to central london and the east and west of London. The tories should be made to trvel on the central and district lines every day to see how they like it.
- tony, london, 15/04/2010 13:17
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