The Department for Transport has made an Order to appoint Cross London Rail Links (CLRL) the Nominated Undertaker for the Crossrail works. The Order, which transfers to CLRL the powers to gain the necessary consents and build the railway, was made under the powers of the Crossrail Act which gained Royal Assent on Tuesday this week.

CLRL, the company behind Crossrail, will now change from a planning and promotional organisation to the Delivery Agent for this exciting new railway.

Douglas Oakervee, OBE, Executive Chairman of Cross London Rail Links, said: 'This is an exciting week for London and the South East as the Crossrail project moves forward. With Parliamentary approval gained on Tuesday, and this further announcement, CLRL can continue to build on the hard work done to date, and go on to deliver a world class affordable railway.'

The company is currently owned 50/50 by the Secretary of State and Transport for London, and will, in due course, become wholly-owned by Transport for London (TfL).

The Order also grants London Underground the role of Nominated Undertaker for certain works at Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street stations.

Crossrail will run from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west through tunnels under central London - with new stations at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Isle of Dogs (Canary Wharf), Woolwich – and out to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

Enabling works will begin next year, with main construction works set to begin in 2010. The first Crossrail services will come into operation during 2017.

For further information, please call the 24 hour, seven day a week helpline on 0845 602 3813 or e-mail address helpdesk@crossrail.co.uk.

Issued 25 July 2008