The Consultation period for the Crossrail Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) Project and Policy Assessment. has been extended to Tuesday 18 April, 2006. The last public comment needs to be received by midday on that day.

The EqIA was previously made available for a 12-week public consultation period until April 14, 2006.

Cross London Rail Links (CLRL) published the EqIA electronically in advance of formal publication on December 21, 2005, in order to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to consider it as early as possible.

It is available by clicking on the Crossrail Equality Impact Assessment button in the navigation to the left.

Comments can be made to: Crossrail, FREEPOST NAT 6945, London SW1H 0BR, or e-mail crossrail@dft.co.uk or call 0845 602 3813.

Code of Practice on Consultation

This consultation has been produced in accordance with the principles of the Government's Code of Practice on Consultation.

The code of practice sets out the following criteria:

1. Consult widely throughout the process, allowing a minimum of 12 weeks for written consultation at least once during the development of the policy.
2. Be clear about what your proposals are, who may be affected, what questions are being asked and the time-scale for responses.
3. Ensure that your consultation is clear, concise and widely accessible.
4. Give feedback regarding the responses received and how the consultation process influenced the policy.
5. Monitor your Department's effectiveness at consultation, including through the use of a designated consultation co-ordinator.
6. Ensure your consultation follows better regulation best practice, including carrying out a Regulatory Impact Assessment if appropriate.

A full version of the code of practice is available on the Cabinet Office web-site at:

http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/consultation/code.asp

If you consider that this consultation does not comply with the criteria or have comments about the consultation process please contact:

Andrew D Price
Consultation Co-ordinator
Department for Transport
Zone 9/9 Southside
105 Victoria Street
London, SW1E 6DT
email: consultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk

For further information please contact: the 24 hour seven day a week helpline on 0845 602 3813 or helpdesk@crossrail.co.uk.

Issued 12 April 2006