Quotes
Here is a selection of quotes about Crossrail from a range of public figures:
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson (July 2010)
"We want Londoners to benefit from this project in everyway and that means giving them the chance to learn the skills and benefit from the jobs created by the scheme. The skills strategy and various training and apprenticeship schemes will help us give young inhabitants of this great city the chance to build and benefit from Crossrail as a lasting legacy."
Transport Minister Theresa Villiers (July 2010)
"By 2026, Crossrail is expected to support the creation of around 30,000 jobs in central London, and up to 14,000 people will be employed at the height of construction. A new national tunnelling and underground construction academy and major apprentice scheme will help workers develop useful skills for future employment in the industry. Crossrail will be more than a world-class railway - for tens of thousands of people it could be the route to a successful career."
Terry Morgan, Crossrail Chairman (July 2010)
"Two years ago today the Crossrail Act received Royal Assent. Since then we have made enormous progress towards full construction of the railway and today is about finding the people to help us meet this challenge. Crossrail's Skills and Employment Strategy will be a benchmark for the project's commitment to providing the skills required to deliver Crossrail and future major construction projects. We are grateful to our Sponsors and industry partners, particularly Jobcentre Plus and the National Apprenticeship Service, for their support for the Strategy and look forward to working with them as we continue to build this great railway."
Simon Waugh, National Apprenticeship Service Chief Executive (July 2010)
"I am delighted that Crossrail has committed to delivering at least 400 Apprenticeships over its lifetime. There is evidence that Apprenticeships bring real value to both private and public sector organisations; significantly improving productivity, motivation, innovation and retention rates. Crossrail apprentices will therefore not only benefit London's economy, but also have the opportunity to contribute to a lasting legacy for the Capital".
Transport Secretary Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP (June 2010)
"We live in difficult economic times, but that does not mean that we should scrap big projects which would give the economy a vital boost in the future. But it does mean that we must ensure that every pound we invest is well spent. I am determined that this scheme remains affordable - Londoners, business and the taxpayer would expect nothing less."
Transport Minister Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP (October 2009)
"This is good news for the people of Kent. Safeguarding will allow this important rail project to be extended in the future if the business case stands up. By doing this we are future proofing Crossrail. The Government is committed to Crossrail and the economic benefits it will bring to London and the South East."
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson (September 2009)
"Crossrail will add at least £20 billion to the economy and employ some 14,000 people. It is crucial to London's economic prosperity and I'm absolutely delighted to see work steaming ahead."
London First Chief Executive, Baroness Jo Valentine (September 2009)
"Crossrail is crucial if London is to continue to compete for business investment and jobs with the other major world cities. It is vital that we have the infrastructure needed to accommodate growth. In building Crossrail and upgrading the Tube, London is investing for recovery while offering construction activity and jobs through the worst of the downturn."
Crossrail Chief Executive, Rob Holden (September 2009)
"The Mayor and Central Government have been very clear that we must do all that we can to limit Crossrail's impact in terms of lorry movements… The final destinations for the excavated material in Essex and Kent have been specifically chosen to ensure that the vast majority is transported by either rail or river thereby limiting the impact on the road network."
Port of London Authority Chief Executive, Richard Everitt (September 2009)
"The Thames is London's greenest highway. It's already the busiest waterway in the country. We've been working alongside the Crossrail team to help them make the most of the river to help keep the impact of the construction of the rail links to a minimum. Our role is to help turn their vision into reality, linking their construction operations with sites on the river for handling materials. Today we're talking about moving materials out of the capital. Just as important is using the river to get the vital building materials to site and that's something we're already working on."
Crossrail Chairman, Terry Morgan (September 2009)
"Crossrail prides itself on its commitment to deliver a world class railway, accessible to everyone. We will be working with accessibility groups throughout the design and construction of the railway so that no priority group is disadvantaged either during the building of Crossrail or when it becomes operational. We are determined that when it opens in 2017 Crossrail will be at the forefront of driving discrimination from the transport sector."
Employers' Forum on Disability Chief Executive, Susan Scott-Parker (September 2009)
"It is terrific that Crossrail has shown its commitment to getting it right on disability by joining EFD's gold group. This is excellent news for Crossrail's disabled employees as well as passengers who will use the new service from 2017."
European Investment Bank Vice-President, Simon Brooks (September 2009)
"Crossrail is the largest construction project in Europe and will make an important contribution to London's economy. By providing a much-needed boost to rail capacity in London and the South East, Crossrail will help to develop London as a sustainable world city by reducing congestion and pollution for the benefit of Londoners, commuters and visitors. It will also link London more efficiently into the European and global transport networks. We at the EIB are delighted to support the project with this loan."
Transport Minister Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP (July 2009)
"This project will boost the UK economy by at least £20bn and create and support thousands of jobs, relieve congestion and provide a high speed rail link across London. It's good news to see that this project is well and truly underway. Work is on schedule, with the station foundations being laid through a specialist 'Giken' piling method designed to minimise noise pollution to surrounding buildings."
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown (May 2009)
"Many people said it would never be built, but today we are celebrating a defining moment for London as Crossrail's construction gets underway. Crossrail will not only mean faster journey times across the capital and beyond, it will also bring a massive economic boost to the city, creating thousands of jobs and adding at least £20 billion to our economy. Investment into important projects like Crossrail, the largest construction project in Europe, is vital to create and protect jobs as well as supporting businesses, so that we can grow our way out of recession and ensure a strong future for London and the country as a whole."
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson (May 2009)
"The years of hesitation, irresolution and vacillation are over, the shovels have tasted earth and the construction of a railway that is crucial to the economic prosperity of this great city has begun. This amazing project will create and support thousands of jobs, relieve congestion and provide a high speed link between east and west of London. When the first of Crossrail's chariots glide smoothly along its lines in 2017 it will change the face of transport in London and the South East forever."