CROSSRAIL DELAYED UNTIL 2021 AS COSTS RISE AGAIN
Crossrail Ltd said four "major tasks" must be completed before services can begin
Crossrail will not open next year and its cost has increased again by up to £650 million, the firm building London's new east-west railway has admitted.
Mark Wild, chief executive of Crossrail Ltd, insisted services would begin "as soon as practically possible in 2021".
He revealed the bill for the scheme could reach £18.25 billion, an increase of between £400 million and £650 million on the latest funding commitment made in December 2018.
Crossrail's budget was set at £15.9 billion in 2007 and it was due to open in December 2018, but a series of delays and cost increases have been announced in recent months.
It is being funded by the Department for Transport and Transport for London.
A new plan to open between October 2020 and March 2021 was announced in April.
Published: by Radio NewsHub