* to support the continuing development of London as a World City, and its role as the key financial centre of the UK and Europe

* to support its economic growth and its regeneration areas by tackling the lack of capacity and congestion on the existing network

* to improve rail access into and within London.


Specifically Crossrail needs to:

	Support the wider transport, planning, social and environmental objectives of the Government's current transport strategies, the Mayor for London's Strategies for London, and Regional Planning Guidance
	Relieve congestion and overcrowding on the existing National Rail and Underground networks and support the development of a network of strategic interchanges
	Facilitate the continued development of London's primary finance and business service activities, which are now located in both the City and Docklands
	Facilitate the improvement of London's international links, including Heathrow
	Facilitate the regeneration of priority areas, such as the Thames Gateway and the Lea Valley
	Provide improved east-west rail access into and across London from the East and South East regions

To meet these objectives Crossrail needs to be feasible from both operational and engineering points of view, environmentally acceptable and value for money.