Friday 3 May 2019

Commenting on the findings of the National Audit Office ‘Completing Crossrail’ report, David Frost, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said:

“Today’s NAO report rightly outlines that Crossrail was always going to be a complex and challenging project. But it highlights particular past management failings - for example, the ‘gap in understanding of delivery risks and the likelihood of meeting the December 2018 opening date’, the ‘little pressure on key contractors to deliver the programme efficiently’, and the ‘failure to produce a detailed, realistic, bottom-up plan until late 2018’ – leaving business feeling that these were never properly grappled with.

The new management team need to restore confidence and get the job done. It is welcome that a first step has been taken, with the firm commitment to a new date to open the central section of the route. But a timetable for the remainder of the route is needed, and we look forward to getting this soon so that the benefits of Crossrail can be fully delivered for London’s businesses.”

ENDS

Media contact
Steven Reilly-Hii
T: +44 (0)207 203 1897
M: +44 (0)7827 241528
E: sreilly-hii@londonchamber.co.uk


NOTES TO EDITOR:

1. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is the capital’s most representative business organisation, with members ranging in size from multi-national companies to SMEs and sole traders. David Frost is available for interview and further comment.