Building Crossrail

Crossrail will run 118 km from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. It will include two new twin-bore tunnels running for 21km under central London.  When completed, it will be the biggest addition to the transport network in London and the South East for 50 years. Construction is now under way across London, with tunnelling beginning in 2011. The central section will be complete by 2018, followed by the phased introduction of services.

The two companies managing the work on behalf of Transport for London are Crossrail Limited and London Underground Limited. Both have made clear their commitment to take all reasonably practicable measures for limiting disturbance to members of the public in exercising the powers under the Crossrail Act. There is a rigorous Construction Code, agreed with the local authorities, which sets limits on issues such as noise and hours of work.

At the peak of activities in 2013-2015, Crossrail will be Europe’s largest construction project. Recognising the impact this may have on some local communities, procedures have been established to respond quickly to construction-related complaints. Associated with this is a Small Claims Scheme for resolving claims involving minor damage to property.