Scheme asked for 拢1.1bn last year but was given 拢825m

Crossrail is likely to need at least 拢150m to finish, Transport for London documents have revealed.

Papers published ahead of tomorrow鈥檚 (Thursday) Elizabeth Line committee meeting have underlined the extent of the funding shortfall the project faces in its final stages.

crossrail

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Crossrail is hoping that building work on the central section of the route will come to an end by the middle of next year

They said the scheme was at least 鈥渃urrently 拢151m above the additional funding of 拢825m鈥. And they added it might even need the full 拢1.1bn it asked for last year before being handed the 拢825m figure.

Concerns about the funding shortfall came to the fore last month with a report by Jacobs warning that completing the scheme within the extra 拢825m budget would be 鈥渆xtremely challenging鈥.

Crossrail also admitted it 鈥has not stated that delivery within the 拢825m additional funding is achievable鈥.

The key central section of the scheme, which has now began the final phase of testing, is due to open between February and June next year. It was originally due to finish in December 2018.