The Direction requires local planning authorities to consult with Crossrail regarding planning applications within the limits shown on the safeguarding plans before granting planning approval as they may conflict with the possible future route.

The existence of the Safeguarding Direction will be declared by the local planning authority in response to searches of the local Land Charges register. If the search shows you are within a safeguarded zone, please contact the Safeguarding Team for further details.

The Safeguarding Team will accept enquiries by telephone, but to reduce the possibility of errors you will be asked for a plan if you wish to know about a specific site. The team aims to respond to enquiries within three working days of receipt but it may take longer at busy times.

The telephone number for the Safeguarding Team is 020 3229 9100. Plans can be faxed to 020 7719 0955. The email address is safeguarding@crossrail.co.uk

The Maidenhead to Reading Safeguarding Direction and associated plans can be viewed or downloaded from the Crossrail library by clicking here.

Further information about the effect of the safeguarding is also available from the Safeguarding Team.

The Crossrail Act provides for a railway terminating at Maidenhead in the west. This does not preclude a later extension to Reading, and land has been safeguarded to prepare for this eventuality.