Crossrail 2 has been given a green-light by an independent body, laying the foundations for final approval for the £33bn rail network to be built in south west London.

Wandsworth Times:

The planned route that was put on display during consultation in south west London last autumn

The independent commission - set up by Chancellor George Osborne last year - urged ministers to pursue the scheme “as a priority” today, with the chancellor expected to respond to the recommendation in his budget speech next week.

The controversial scheme would see a new train line to link the railway network from Wimbledon to Tottenham via a new underground tunnel linking Kingston, Teddington and Epsom.

Monday, November 25: Overcrowding and regular train times the priority as Crossrail 2 consultation comes to Kingston

Tuesday, February 23: Liberal Democrat Mayor of London candidate Caroline Pidgeon joins calls against impact of Crossrail 2 on Wimbledon

Tuesday, March 8: More engineering works to examine potential of Crossrail 2 at Tooting Broadway

Resident groups in Wimbledon have come out in protest over the scheme, which would lead to large parts of the town being demolished to make way for a new station, railway sidings and a pedestrian bridge.

Almost 5,000 people have signed a petition set up by the Wimbledon Guardian newspaper to save Wimbledon town centre from destruction.

Add your name at Change.org. 

Construction could take about 15 years with jobs and homes put at risk.

Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond said the proposals would sound the “death knell” for the town centre.

Residents and businesses in Tooting are fighting for the route to pass through their area after plans were announced for Balham to benefit from the service.

Labour’s London Mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan said: “It’s great that Crossrail 2 is finally set to get the green light.

“London desperately needs the extra transport capacity and the Government must now move quickly to confirm the precise funding arrangements so we can get Crossrail 2 started on time and on budget.”

According to Transport for London, 200,000 homes and 200,000 new jobs could be made available if the scheme is approved by the Government.

But figures compiled by property website Zoopla show that house prices in some areas on the Crossrail 1 line rose by as high as 66 per cent since construction began on the project in 2009.

Wandsworth Times:

Residents in Surbiton look through the plans at a consultation in November

Liberal Democrat Teddington councillor Steve Knight said: “I think everybody thinks it will be an absolutely essential piece of infrastructure to keep London moving. “People will benefit from the increased services.

“There are specific details of concern that need to be addressed. It may well have an impact on house prices, it’s difficult to see how they can go any higher.

“I think they’ve already reached a level that’s completely unsustainable across London, it would be difficult to imagine the same type of increase that has happened over the last 20 years continuing over the next 20.”

Mike Goodman, cabinet member for environment and planning at Surrey County Council, said: “This report proves that Crossrail 2 is just the ticket for the region’s overburdened rail network and the country’s future prosperity.

“Not only will the line relieve the morning crush and speed up journeys, it will drive economic growth in London, Surrey and way beyond.”

Public consultations into the proposals were held across south west London from October 2015 to January of this year.