At last ... Crossrail Bill is put before the Commons

The £10billion Crossrail project moved a stage closer today when the muchdelayed Bill was presented to MPs.

It signified the start of the project's path through complex legislation. MPs will start to debate the scheme later next month when the Bill reaches its second reading.

The scheme will mean a new twin-bore tunnel through the middle of London connecting Paddington with Liverpool Street where it will join existing mainline tracks. There will be greatly enlarged stations at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Farringdon.

Trains will run direct from as far afield as Maidenhead in the west to Shenfield in the east. There will be a new link to Heathrow - meaning at long last the City will have direct access to the airport.

Services would start in 2014 - not in time to be of any use if London's bid to stage the Olympic Games in 2012 is successful.

Exactly who pays has remained the critical issue. However, government sources indicate that the Treasury is now willing to commit essential funds. Unconfirmed reports suggest this could be as much as £7.5 billion.

Alistair Darling, the Transport Secretary, is expected to make clear that the Government will only pay its share only if the City - which will reap tremendous benefit from the scheme - the private sector and local councils along the route contribute a major share.

It is likely that Mr Darling will announce a new consultation process - including how best the private sector might contribute.