The Department for Transport has deposited a second group of Amendments of Provisions.

Since the deposit of the Crossrail Bill in February 2005 a number of changes to the project have been identified as a result of discussions with stakeholders and continued project development. Some of these changes would have the effect of extending the scope of the Bill.

Such changes to the project can be made by depositing 'Amendment of Provisions', and in some cases, further environmental assessment work carried out and published.

An Amendment of Provisions Environmental Statement is now available and contains details on: the realignment of the proposed siding at Westbourne Park and the extension of a footbridge carrying Westbourne Park Passage, City of Westminster; a tunnel for construction purposes in connection with the proposed crossover between Farringdon and Liverpool Street Stations, City of London; access to the proposed working site at Finsbury Circus, City of London; the diversion of a sewer at Moorgate Station, City of London; the provision of a new road and the reinstatement of the existing Travellers’ Site at Eleanor Street, Tower Hamlets; the diversion of Hackney & Abbey Mills and Wick Lane sewers, Tower Hamlets; the provision of access at Seagull Lane, Newham; the provision of a working site at Plumstead, Greenwich; and the realignment of Hollow Hill Lane, Slough.

As with the Bill, those affected by the proposals in the Amendment of Provisions have the opportunity to petition against them.

Parliament has set a five week petitioning period ending on 13 June 2006, in which those affected should submit their petitions to the Private Bill Office in the House of Commons. They can be contacted on 020 7219 3250.

These documents can be found on the Crossrail Bill Supporting Documents website, accessed from a button on the left hand side of the Crossrail home page, or by clicking on the link http://billdocuments.crossrail.co.uk

Anyone may comment on the Amendment of Provisions Environmental Statement (whether or not they wish to petition Parliament formally). Comments should be sent to the Secretary of State c/o Tim Neate, Consultation Manager, Department for Transport, Major Projects Division 3, Zone 2/08, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR (e-mail: crossrail@dft.gsi.gov.uk) on or before 21 June 2006. Comments will be presented to Parliament and published.

The Crossrail Bill is now being considered by a Select Committee of the House of Commons which is considering petitions against the Bill and the first group of Amendment of Provisions. In due course it will consider any petition deposited against the second group. It began its first session on January 17, 2006. Details of the procedures used for Hybrid Bills can be found at:

http://www.parliament.uk/about_commons/prbohoc/hybrid_bills.cfm

Ends

For further information, please contact the Crossrail 24hr/seven day a week helpdesk on 0845 602 3813, or e-mail helpdesk@crossrail.co.uk or write to: Crossrail, FREEPOST NAT 6945, London SW1H 0BR.

Issued 9 May, 2006