Greenwich hopes Crossrail will unite east and west
Crossrail is an imaginative rail link scheme to link east and west London with a high-frequency heavy rail service.
The new Crossrail main railway line will pass through the northern part of the borough.
Woolwich re-introduced
In 2006, the Council ran a campaign to include Woolwich as a station on the Crossrail network. Thanks to the campaign, the Government has re-introduced Woolwich into the Bill.
The Bill has since been approved in Parliament and the Crossrail Act received Royal Assent on 22 July 2008.
Crossrail route summary (external site)
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New station benefits
With the aid of a campaign film featuring support from business and residents, Greenwich Council presented its case for a new station at the Houses of Parliament.
The Council believes the area would benefit from the new station because:
- A recent study estimates that a Woolwich Crossrail station would provide up to 2,300 extra local jobs and 4,350 new homes - at least 35 per cent of new homes will be affordable housing.
- The initial Bill as deposited excluded Woolwich despite the fact that the trains will pass under Woolwich on a six-mile stretch from Custom House to the end of the line at Abbey Wood – the longest gap on the entire route.
- Woolwich's location and public transport options make it uniquely placed to become a crucial transport interchange along with other local towns in Greater London, Essex and Kent.
- Crossrail would provide a massive boost to the ongoing regeneration of Woolwich. Thousands of new jobs and homes are coming to the borough with rejuvenated retail and leisure facilities and steady increases in the skills and attainment levels of our young people.
- A Woolwich Crossrail station would provide significant savings in journey times to Canary Wharf and the City.
- The station would provide much needed alleviation of congested road traffic particularly in the south of the borough and major arterial routes in South East London.
Related news
22 March 2007: Success for Crossrail campaign
February 2007: Leader's delight over Crossrail prospects
14 December 2006: Bexley joins Woolwich Crossrail campaign
8 December 2006: Regional support for new Woolwich Crossrail bid
November 2006: Council welcomes Woolwich Crossrail announcement
October 2006: Woolwich crossrail – the fight will continue
July 2006: Massive boost for Woolwich Crossrail Campaign
May 2006: Woolwich Crossrail campaign pulls into Parliament
January 2006: MPs back Crossrail campaignFurther information
For more about the new Crossrail link and progress, visit the Crossrail website.