Crossrail generated thousands of jobs last year

Date: 26/7/2013

Crossrail is doing more than just improving transport connections across London and the south-east, it is also creating thousands of jobs.

Figures released today (July 26th) from Crossrail have shown that the equivalent of 13,800 full-time positions were created in 2012 due to the project.

What’s more, three-fifths of these jobs have been generated outside of London, which amounts to around 8,310 jobs. Meanwhile, supply chain spend stood at an estimated £865 million, with around 53 per cent (£460 million) spent beyond the confines of the capital.

"There are bridges from Shropshire, cranes from Derbyshire, grouting from Coventry, piling from Oldham, lifts from Preston and lubricants from Bournemouth. It’s a truly fantastic example of British engineering," said Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

There’s good news for Britain’s small businesses too, with more than half (58 per cent) of the work for Crossrail being won by small and medium-sized enterprises.

All of this came in just one year, so the figures for the whole of the Crossrail project, which will see 26 miles of tunnels laid underneath London, are set to be much more significant.

Crossrail estimates that the supply chain will provide 75,000 business opportunities and some 55,000 full-time jobs across the country.

"The significant impact that Crossrail is having on job creation and growth right around the UK demonstrates the vital importance of continuing to invest in London’s transport infrastructure for the benefit of the whole UK," said Mike Brown, Transport for London’s Managing Director of London Underground and Rail.

He added that London’s transport already provides 40,000 jobs in the UK, without the added impact of Crossrail, indicating the importance of the sector.

As the project approaches its peak time of construction, Crossrail will be initiating a significant push to raise awareness of the opportunities available to businesses around the UK over the coming years. The sorts of businesses that can win work will change as the process changes from construction to fitting out the tunnels and stations.

Posted by Mary Treen

Transport News, Transport Consulting News and TRL Ltd