Recommendation 4

We are concerned that TfL and the Department do not have a plan to maximise the long-term, wider economic benefits of Crossrail. When open, the Elizabeth line should increase capacity in central London by around 10%, reduce journey times, improve connectivity and be a fully accessible railway. TfL expects the Elizabeth line to contribute towards its net zero objectives by getting cars off the road. Since 2010, the Department and TfL have referred to Crossrail resulting in £42 billion of benefits to the economy. Crossrail has delivered some benefits during the build phase, such as apprenticeships, and the Department and TfL have commissioned work to examine how the programme has affected property and regeneration along the route, and on establishing a baseline to measure some benefits. The Elizabeth line could be open to passengers in as early as February 2022, some seven months from the date of our evidence session. Achieving economic growth and regeneration requires sustained effort and vision—in this case, effort and vision shared by local authorities and boroughs, and businesses. It is surprising therefore, particularly considering how travel patterns were already changing before the pandemic, that that there is still no strategy or plan for how to achieve the wider benefits of the Elizabeth line. Recommendation: TfL and the Department should publish a detailed plan before the central section opens for setting out how they intend to maximise the long- term, wider economic benefits of Crossrail, including: • What the benefits are; • Who is responsible for delivering them; Crossrail: A progress update 7 • The levers or support that TfL and the Department require to deliver these benefits; and • How these benefits will be monitored and reported over time.