The Crossrail scheme will not be scrapped by the new Government despite some concerns prior to the election when in April 2010 C onservative shadow minister for London, Justine Greening, admitted on the radio it was possible that Crossrail could be scrapped under the Tories.

However, as work began in January 2009 on the £16bn rail project, which will run through London connecting Maidenhead in Berkshire with Essex, the new transport secretary Philip Hammond has pledged his commitment to the Crossrail scheme under the new coalition Government.

Whilst confirming that he was committed to the project, he warned that it was essential to keep costs down and that he couldn’t guarantee the route would be ready on time by 2017.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport, said: "It is a very important project for London, Essex and Berkshire. We need to ensure every pound invested in the project is well spent. Going forward we are going to explore how we can get the utmost value."