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National Politicians
1.
Diane Abbott MP, Labour MP for Hackey North and Stoke Newington
I am very supportive of the Crossrail proposal. It is a vital part of London’s future, not only for business but for all communities. Hackney has long been without tube connections to the rest of the city, but with Crossrail connecting to the new East London line, some of London’s more deprived communities will soon be able to access fairly the jobs and opportunities this and other projects will provide.
2.
John Austin MP - Labour MP for Erith & Thamesmead, and Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Crossrail
Crossrail is essential if London is to remain a world class city making a major contribution to Britain’s overall economic success. It will also be the single most important factor in securing the re-generation of south east London, the creation of thousands of jobs and prosperity for one of the most deprived areas in the country and will improve the quality of life for Londoners and tourists alike travelling around our great capital city.
3.
John Baron MP, Shadow Minister for Health and Conservative MP for Billericay
I back the principle of Crossrail.
4.
Lord Bassam of Brighton, Labour, Govt Spokesperson
Crossrail will provide a new fleet of trains, operating a peak service in both directions through central London of 24 trains an hour, carrying an estimated 200 million passengers a year. Crossrail has a strong transport economic case and, in addition, we estimate that it will generate cash benefits to United Kingdom GDP of at least £20 billion. Crossrail will significantly increase the capacity of the rail network into and across London, thereby relieving congestion and overcrowding on the existing national rail and Underground networks while, at the same time, supporting economic development and regeneration. Crossrail is expected to attract some 80,000 additional jobs to regeneration areas.
5.
Hugh Bayley MP, Labour MP for City of York
Crossrail will show the world, the world-beating quality of British railway engineering.
6.
Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Labour MP for Leeds Central and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Crossrail [will] bring huge benefits to London.
7.
Lord Berkeley, Labour
I very much welcome the Crossrail project. It is certainly good for London and it is good for the surrounding area served.
8.
Rt Hon Tony Blair, former Labour MP for Sedgefield and former Prime Minister
Crossrail is an important project for London and for the whole of the UK. It will provide crucial transport capacity for London and create access to jobs and opportunities for people living in one of the capital’s most deprived areas. It will also play a vital role in maintaining London’s world city status which in turn brings wealth and prosperity to the whole country.
9.
Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Labour MP for Salford and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Crossrail is vital to the UK's economy. I believe this important project will be a tangible example of the way this Labour Government is renewing the infrastructure of the UK.
10.
Lord Bradshaw, Liberal Democrat
The sooner it is got on with the better... we welcome the Bill and want Crossrail.
11.
Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington and former Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
As an initiative, Crossrail has received all-party support in the House. The project is viewed as vital not only by business, the Mayor and my party but by Sir Rod Eddington, who was appointed by the Government to conduct a review of the UK’s transport infrastructure and priorities.
12.
James Brokenshire MP, Conservative MP for Hornchurch
If London is to remain as a world business centre it needs a world-class transport network. Crossrail is an essential part of this requirement. In the heart of the capital we have some of the most over-crowded tube trains and congested roads. Crossrail will ease this burden and make a significant contribution to the increasingly important environmental need of promoting greater use of public transport.
13.
Lord Brooke of Sutton Mandeville, Conservative, Former Conservative MP for Cities of London & Westminster
Crossrail, which joins up with the East London Line at Whitechapel, will reduce the time from Ealing Broadway to Liverpool Street from almost 40 minutes to 20, and from Heathrow to Canary Wharf from 70 minutes to just over 40. Those are real gains in productivity.
14.
Lord Brougham and Vaux, Conservative
There is an urgent need for extra capacity within the system. Crossrail will meet that need by increasing the number of trains, improving the quality of service and reducing overcrowding, particularly on the Underground. The benefits of Crossrail ... will be felt much more widely. It will enable the growth of new communities in the Thames Gateway. It will create jobs and help businesses in central London and elsewhere to employ more people and will help secure London's position as a global city. ... The benefits of Crossrail will be felt nationwide
15.
Lyn Brown MP, Labour MP for West Ham and PPS to Rt Hon John Denham MP, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills
I enthusiastically support Crossrail which will bring enormous benefits to London as a whole, and especially to some of the most deprived areas of East London. This massive investment in our transport infrastructure will help maintain London’s position as the greatest city in the world in which to live and do business.
16.
Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Labour MP for Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath and Prime Minister
For decades the idea of Crossrail - a major new railway link connecting central London, the City and Canary Wharf to Heathrow and to commuter areas east and west of the capital - has been a long-held dream for business and Londoners alike. I am pleased to be able to confirm that the project will now definitely proceed.
17.
Karen Buck MP, Labour MP for Regent's Park & Kensington North
Crossrail is a vitally important project for London and its benefits will be felt not just locally but nationally. This is a key and indeed overdue improvement to the UKs transport infrastructure. I fully support the campaign for Crossrail.
18.
David Burrowes MP, Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate
Crossrail will be the most important transport project in the UK for a generation - relieving transport congestion and ensuring that London and the UK remain competitive with the rest of the World. In addition my constituents will gain hugely from quicker journey times and increased capacity.
19.
Dawn Butler MP, Labour MP for Brent South
Crossrail will bring tremendous benefits to London and connect a part of London which has been unfairly disconnected for years. Economic sustainability is achievable by accessing good jobs. As a London MP I am happy to add my support. London 2012 must look very differently to what it does now. This is a part of our sustainable legacy.
20.
Dr Vincent Cable MP, Lib Dem MP for Twickenham and Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor
Crossrail would be a useful addition to London's inadequate and overcrowded public transport system. I look forward to it being integrated as soon as possible with the suburban rail and underground network of South West London.