Government safeguards land for Crossrail extension

Date: 20/10/2009

An area that could potentially see a Crossrail extension in the future has been protected by the government.

Although the construction has yet to finish on the ambitious railway project, the government is keen to make sure that it can be extended from Abbey Wood to Gravesend should it be required.

Crossrail is currently designed to run 118km from Maidenhead to Heathrow.

Transport minister Sadiq Khan said that the government protection was "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," he said.

Mr Khan added that the government was "committed" to the Crossrail project and its associated benefits.

The construction of Crossrail has led to some controversial decisions, including the destruction of popular London club Astoria on Tottenham Court Road to make way for a newly designed station.

Crossrail is due to open in 2017.