The putative route of the proposed Crossrail 2 railway project under London is being protected from conflicting development.
Crossrail 2 – previously referred to as the Chelsea-Hackney line – is a high frequency, high capacity rail line that would run between southwest and northeast London. No decision has yet been taken on its construction, and the Department for Transport is working with Transport for London (TfL) and Network Rail on a business case.
Part of the line between Chelsea and Hackney has been safeguarded for the proposed project since 1991. However, TfL changed the route after assessing the future transport needs in the capital, prompting the need to update the safeguarded areas. The updated safeguarded route extends from Wimbledon in the southwest to Tottenham Hale and New Southgate in the northeast. It passes through the City of Westminster, the London Boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Merton, Wandsworth, and the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.
Any development that interferes with Crossrail 2 will not be given planning permission, unless a compromise can be reached.
Among the most significant changes to the previous safeguarded route are:
- a new tunnel entrance south of Tottenham Hale station to take the line from above to below ground
- a proposed extension to New Southgate
- a station connecting to both Euston and King’s Cross, instead of at King’s Cross only
- an altered route running from Angel to Tottenham Hale and Seven Sisters via Dalston Junction, instead of via Hackney Central to Epping
- an altered route running from Victoria to Angel via Tottenham Court Road instead of via Piccadilly Circus
- an altered route running from Wimbledon to Chelsea via Clapham Junction and Tooting Broadway, instead of via Putney.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Supporting transport infrastructure in London is a vital part of our long term economic plan. Crossrail 2 has the potential to improve connectivity, increase capacity and generate tens of thousands of jobs.
“To bring about all these benefits we need good planning, especially in a crowded and fast-paced city like London. These updated plans to safeguard the route will ensure that land most vital for its construction is protected so that, if constructed, the line can go to areas that will give the maximum benefits and value for money.”
Michele Dix, TfL managing director for Crossrail 2, added: “The confirmed safeguarding marks a vital step forward in progressing Crossrail 2 which is significant in providing more rail capacity to support growth in London for the future, in particular up to 200,000 new homes. We’ll continue developing the scheme reflecting comments received to date with a public consultation later this year. We are working hard to deliver Crossrail 2 by 2030.”
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