A committee of MPs has criticised the relaxed approach towards rising Crossrail costs.
In a critical assessment of the UK infrastructure project, the Public Accounts Committee slammed a “laissez-faire” attitude by the Department for Transport, Crossrail Ltd and Transport for London.
In particular, it suggested that the management were too relaxed about costs “potentially rising by nearly £3bn”.
The committee warned that Crossrail’s £2.8bn overspend “may not be enough”. It also indicated that it is “not convinced” the delayed project will meets its latest deadline of 2020.
The report continued: “The Department and Crossrail Ltd are unable to fully explain how the programme has been allowed to unravel. Crossrail Ltd failed to properly report the position of the programme and risks. Key warning signs were missed or ignored, and parliament and potential new passengers still do not know the root causes of the delays and significant cost overruns.”
The total funding package for Crossrail is now £17.6bn, which is £2.8bn (19%) higher than the original budget set out in the 2010 Spending Review.
This includes an additional £1.3bn loan from the Department for Transport to the scheme, announced in December.
Commenting on the delayed scheme, Craig McWilliam, chief executive of Grosvenor Britain & Ireland, said: “Delivering Europe’s largest infrastructure project was always going to be complex and we shouldn’t lose sight of the wide ranging long term benefits beyond easing congestion the line will bring. However, maximising these benefits depends on businesses and communities being able to plan, so it’s vital we are given clarity and confidence on an opening date for the Elizabeth Line as soon as possible.”
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