Twenty-Fourth - Crossrail: A progress update

The government agrees with the committee's general conclusion but does not commit to providing TfL’s revenue forecast scenarios or their implications for Crossrail loan repayment by the requested deadline. Instead, it describes its general value for money assessment processes and commitments for future letters.

The government's response discusses managing supplier performance, financial and programme risk, and contract mechanisms, which does not address the recommendation for a clear public communication strategy regarding Elizabeth Line service openings.

The government's response discusses the Ministry of Defence's track record on delivering savings and improving programme delivery, failing entirely to address the recommendation for TfL and the Department to publish a plan for maximising Crossrail's long-term economic benefits.

The government states that it wrote to the Committee on 30 November 2021, as requested, providing an update on progress and specifically outlining the changes in its approach to delivering major programmes with its arms-length bodies.

The government response serves as an introduction to its overall response, providing background on the Crossrail project and the committee's report, rather than directly addressing the conclusion which merely states the committee took evidence.

The government response states agreement with the conclusion but then discusses defense spending and equipment plans, which does not address the conclusion regarding Crossrail software updates and trial operations.

The government provides an update on the Elizabeth Line project, including the commencement of Trial Operations and updated timelines for the central section opening in the first half of 2022, thereby acknowledging the committee's observations on progress and risks.

The government's response lists unrelated reports on Greensill Capital and completely fails to address the committee's conclusion regarding Crossrail's cost increases.

The government states it agrees with the committee's conclusion and provides an update on the programme's progress, current cost forecast, and schedule, noting Crossrail Ltd supplied the committee with revised cost and schedule estimates as of November 2021.

The government's response provides an update on Crossrail's overall funding status, but it does not address the specific recommendation for Crossrail Ltd to end expensive Tier 1 contracts to control costs.

The government acknowledges the conclusion by stating that Crossrail Ltd is taking steps to deliver the project within available funding, providing current figures for its forecast relative to the agreed funding packages.

The government acknowledges the funding figures and states that Crossrail Ltd is working to deliver within available funding, with the current forecast £151 million above the December 2020 package but still within the broader £1.1 billion identified need.

The government's response discusses updated Elizabeth line passenger forecasts and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ridership, but does not address the committee's conclusion about TfL's over-reliance on farebox income or the need to diversify revenue streams.

The government confirms the Elizabeth line's opening timeline, stating the central tunnel will open in the first half of 2022, with full end-to-end services by May 2023.

The government confirms the phased opening of Elizabeth line services, with full end-to-end services opening by May 2023, specifically stating this will align with National Rail timetable changes.

The government acknowledges the need for clarity on the Elizabeth line opening date, stating that Crossrail Ltd and TfL have a communications strategy and will announce a specific opening date once there is complete certainty for safe and reliable operation.

The government provides a general introduction to the Crossrail project, reiterating factual information about its construction, asset transfer, and operational plan, which aligns with the committee's observations.

The government's response details its communications strategy regarding the Elizabeth line's opening dates and phases, but does not address the committee's observations about the expected transport and economic benefits.

The government acknowledges the importance of benefits management and confirms that a joint benefits management strategy, defining realised and expected benefits, is nearly complete and TfL plans to publish it before the central section of the Elizabeth line opens.

The government acknowledges the importance of a benefits management strategy and confirms that a joint strategy, to be owned by TfL, is nearly complete and scheduled for publication before the central section of the Elizabeth line opens in the first half of 2022.

The government states it is developing a lessons management approach across government and has a comprehensive programme underway to embed these lessons in major transport infrastructure projects, with a progress update provided to the Committee via letter.

The government states it is at the forefront of developing a lessons management approach across government, with a comprehensive programme underway to embed lessons, and has updated the Committee via letter.

The government states it is at the forefront of developing a lessons management approach for major projects and has already provided a letter to the Committee on 30 November 2021 outlining changes in its approach and the real-world impact of these changes.