£16billion Crossrail plan clears Commons

The Bill paving the way for the Crossrail project has finally cleared the Commons after nearly three years of debate.

The £16billion scheme, the largest civil engineering project since the Channel Tunnel, will provide a new rail route to the heart of the capital.

It will ease congestion, create thousands of jobs and provide a multimillion pound boost to the economy, ministers have promised.

When up and running, Crossrail will provide 24 trains per hour, straight into the centre of London from the east and west, improving rail links to the West End, the City and Docklands.

The Crossrail Bill gained an unopposed third reading last night and now goes to the Lords.

During debate, junior transport minister Tom Harris said the scheme would have an enormous effect on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, provide a huge boost to the economy and preserve London's role as the business capital of Europe. He said: "It will provide London and the South-East with a world class railway."

He estimated that 200 million passengers per year would use the service. Cash generated from it could benefit the UK economy in excess of £20billion.

Tory Stephen Hammond described the programme as "a scheme of international importance to London".

Liberal Democrat spokeswoman Susan Kramer said Crossrail "would be absolutely crucial to making sure that London continues its economic vibrancy".