View source for Crossrail 2

{{Short description|Proposed railway in London, England}}
{{Update|date=December 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = Crossrail 2
| logo                            = Crossrail2.svg
| logo_width                      = 150px
| caption                         = Crossrail 2 logo
| type                            = [[Commuter rail|Commuter/suburban rail]]<br>[[Rapid transit]]
| system                          = [[National Rail]]
| status                          = Proposed, consultation and design paused since 2020
| locale                          = 
| start                           = 
| end                             = 
| stations                        = 47
| routes                          = 
| daily_ridership                 = 
| open                            = 
| close                           = 
| owner                           = {{unbulleted list|[[Transport for London]] |[[Network Rail]]}}
| operator                        = 
| character                       = 
| depot                           = 
| stock                           = 
| linelength                      = 
| tracklength                     = 
| tracks                          = 2
| gauge                           = {{track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
{{void| For a project which is not yet designed, the next two lines are speculation and against [[WP:CRYSTAL]]
| electrification                 = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} [[overhead catenary]]<br>{{750 V DC|conductor=y}}
| speed                           = Up to {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on|order=flip}}
}}
| elevation                       = 
| map                             = [[File:Crossrail2 Greater London.png|250px|Map of the proposed Crossrail2 routes]]
| map_state                       = expanded
| website                         = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''Crossrail 2''' is a suspended proposal for a hybrid commuter rail and rapid transit route in [[South East England]], running from nine stations in [[Surrey]] to three in [[Hertfordshire]], providing a new North–South rail link across [[Greater London]]. It would connect the [[South West Main Line]] to the [[West Anglia Main Line]], via [[London Victoria station|Victoria]] and {{stl|London Underground|King's Cross St Pancras}}. The intent was to alleviate severe overcrowding that would otherwise occur on commuter rail routes into Central London.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Edwards |title=Crossrail 2 stations proposed by London business leaders |date=5 February 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21333361 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=8 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="londonfirstreport">{{cite web |url=http://londonfirst.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LF_CROSSRAIL2_REPORT_AW_Single_Pages.pdf |title=Crossrail 2: Supporting London's Growth |date=February 2013 |publisher=London First |access-date=18 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213150411/http://londonfirst.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LF_CROSSRAIL2_REPORT_AW_Single_Pages.pdf |archive-date=13 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> When first proposed, the hope was for construction to start around 2023, with the new line opening from the early 2030s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://crossrail2.co.uk/next-steps/|title=Next steps|website=Crossrail 2}}</ref> The project's cost has been estimated at £31.2 billion.<ref name="Graylingsupport"/>

The line would have been the fourth major rail project in the capital since 2000 ([[East London line extension]]s opened in May 2010, the [[Thameslink Programme]] opened in 2018 and [[Crossrail]] opened in May 2022). [[National Rail]]'s projections of overcrowding, including in suburbs and tourist destinations less well-served by the [[London Underground|Underground]], led it to call for more new lines<ref>[https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jIAOTHp_Bepjb9ONroG3iXpAWPrg?docId=B18728101292504824A00003 New lines 'may be needed to beat train overcrowding']{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Press Association</ref> and cross-London line proposals gained more importance with [[Euston railway station|Euston]] being named as the terminus of the planned [[High Speed 2]] rail line.<ref name="E TEX">{{cite news|url=http://www.transportxtra.com/magazines/local_transport_today/news/25199|title=HS2 fuels Crossrail 2 business case|access-date=30 March 2018|publisher=Transport News – Publications > Local Transport Today|date=21 December 2010}}</ref>

The scheme was shelved as part of the conditions for emergency COVID-19 funding worth £1.8 billion between the government and [[Transport for London]] (TfL) announced on 1 November 2020.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Topham|first=Gwyn|title=Crossrail 2 plans shelved as part of £1.8bn TfL funding deal|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/02/crossrail-2-plans-shelved-transport-for-london-funding-deal|access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref>

The project was earlier known as the '''Chelsea–Hackney line''' (or '''Chelney''' line) in reference to a potential route. The plan for a line on this alignment has existed in various forms since 1970, initially as an Underground service and later as a standard railway.

==2015 plans==

{{Crossrail 2}}

This route is from the 2015 public consultation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/ |title=Citizen Space – Crossrail 2 – October 2015 |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=1 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801075049/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Core section ===

Operating in new tunnels at 30 trains per hour (in each direction):

*Dalston ({{Stnlnk|Dalston Junction}}–{{Stnlnk|Dalston Kingsland}} {{rint|london|overground|East}}) ''Double-ended station''
*{{stl|London Underground|Angel}} {{rint|london|Northern}}
*{{rws|Euston St. Pancras}} {{rint|london|Victoria}} {{rint|london|Northern}} {{rint|london|Piccadilly}} {{rint|london|Metropolitan}} {{rint|london|Circle}} {{rint|london|H&c}} {{rint|london|overground}} {{rint|london|thameslink}} {{rint|gb|rail}} {{rint|eurostar|}} <small>([[High Speed 1]], [[High Speed 2]], [[East Coast Main Line]], [[Midland Main Line]], [[West Coast Main Line]], [[Thameslink]])</small><br/>''double-ended station serving Euston, King's Cross and St Pancras mainline stations and the Underground's Euston, Euston Square and King's Cross St Pancras stations''
*{{stl|London Underground|Tottenham Court Road}} {{rint|london|Northern}} {{rint|london|Central}} {{rint|london|crossrail}} <small>([[Crossrail]] Elizabeth line)</small>
*{{stl|London Underground|Victoria}} {{rint|london|Victoria}} {{rint|london|Circle}} {{rint|london|District}} {{rint|gb|rail}} <small>([[Brighton Main Line]], [[Chatham Main Line]])</small>
*{{stl|London Underground|King's Road Chelsea}} – the only entirely new station site
*{{Stnlnk|Clapham Junction}} {{rint|london|overground}} {{rint|gb|rail}} <small>([[South West Main Line|SWML]], [[Brighton Main Line]], [[Waterloo–Reading line]])</small>
*{{stl|London Underground|Tooting Broadway}} {{rint|london|Northern}} ''or'' {{stl|London Underground|Balham}} {{rint|london|Northern}} {{rint|gb|rail}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/s12b.pdf|title=Clarification information Tooting and Balham: S12B|access-date=21 November 2015|archive-date=22 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122052907/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/s12b.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{stl|London Underground|Wimbledon}} {{rint|london|District}} {{rint|london|tram}} {{rint|london|thameslink}} {{rint|gb|rail}} <small>([[South West Main Line]], [[Sutton Loop Line]] ([[Thameslink]])</small>

Also in new tunnels, connected to a junction north of Dalston, at 10 and 15 trains per hour:

*{{stl|London Underground|Seven Sisters}}-{{Stnlnk|South Tottenham}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/s3.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 factsheet: Seven Sisters station |access-date=23 November 2015 |archive-date=29 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729004616/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/s3.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{rint|london|Victoria}} {{rint|london|overground}} ''double-ended station''
*either {{stl|London Underground|Turnpike Lane}} {{rint|london|Piccadilly}} and {{Stnlnk|Alexandra Palace}} {{rint|london|thameslink}} {{rint|gb|rail}} <small>([[Thameslink]], [[Northern City Line]], [[Hertford Loop Line]])</small> or {{stl|London Underground|Wood Green}} {{rint|London|Piccadilly}}<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/s2.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 factsheet: Seven Sisters to New Southgate Route Options |access-date=21 November 2015 |archive-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226182523/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/s2.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*{{Stnlnk|New Southgate}} {{rint|london|thameslink}} {{rint|gb|rail}} having surfaced, continuing to Oakleigh Road depot.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/g7.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 train maintenance depots and stabling |access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref>

=== Northern Regional section ===

Running at between 10 and 15 trains per hour<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/ne1.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 factsheet: Services at Broxbourne, Cheshunt and Waltham Cross |access-date=23 November 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013737/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/ne1.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> on new rails above ground, connected to a junction north of Dalston:

{{stl|London Underground|Tottenham Hale}} {{rint|london|Victoria}} {{rint|gb|rail}} <small>([[West Anglia Main Line]], [[Lea Valley lines]])</small> all stations<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/ne2.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 factsheet: Services between Enfield Lock and Tottenham Hale |access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> to {{Stnlnk|Broxbourne}} for Crossrail 2 services<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.londonreconnections.com/2013/the-transport-committee-crossrail-and-the-overground-talk-shop |title=The Transport Committee: Crossrail and the Overground Talk Shop |date=7 March 2013 |publisher=London Reconnections |access-date=7 March 2013}}</ref> and {{Stnlnk|Cheshunt}} {{rint|gb|rail}}.

===Potential eastern extension===
The 2015 consultation earmarks a "potential future Eastern Branch"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/crossrail-2-regional-route-png-.png |title=Crossrail 2 route |access-date=21 November 2015}}</ref>
*{{Stnlnk|Hackney Central}}/{{Stnlnk|Hackney Downs}} {{rint|london|overground}} {{rint|gb|rail}} <small>([[Lea Valley lines]])</small>

=== South West section ===

Above ground, after surfacing south of Wimbledon station, using the existing [[South West Main Line|SWML slow line]], and providing between 4 and 20 trains per hour, the southern section comprises:

*20 trains per hour at {{Stnlnk|Raynes Park}} {{rint|gb|rail}}
*8–10 trains per hour at {{Stnlnk|Motspur Park}} {{rint|gb|rail}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/sw1.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 factsheet: Services at New Malden, Motspur Park and Raynes Park |access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref>
*Exclusive use of the [[Chessington branch line]] to {{Stnlnk|Chessington South}} at 4 trains per hour<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/sw3.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 factsheet: Services between Malden Manor and Chessington South |access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref>
*Mixed (shared) use of the [[Sutton and Mole Valley lines|Raynes Park – Epsom line]] to {{Stnlnk|Epsom}} {{rint|gb|rail}} <small>([[Sutton and Mole Valley lines]])</small> (4–6 trains per hour)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/sw2.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 factsheet: Services between Worcester Park and Epsom |access-date=23 November 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117021850/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/sw2.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*10–12 trains per hour at {{Stnlnk|New Malden}} {{rint|gb|rail}}
*Exclusive use of the [[Hampton Court branch line]] to {{Stnlink|Hampton Court}} at 4 trains per hour via shared station {{Stnlnk|Surbiton}} {{rint|gb|rail}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/sw4.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 factsheet: Services between Berrylands and Hampton Court |access-date=23 November 2015 |archive-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123143718/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/sw4.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Shared use of the bulk of the [[Kingston Loop Line]] via {{Stnlnk|Kingston|England}} {{rint|gb|rail}} at 6–8 trains per hour to {{Stnlnk|Teddington}} {{rint|gb|rail}} and 4 trains per hour onward to {{Stnlnk|Shepperton}} {{rint|gb|rail}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/user_uploads/sw5.pdf |title=Crossrail 2 factsheet: Services between Norbiton, Kingston and Shepperton |access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref>

==Transport for London consultations==

===2013 consultation===
In May 2013, TfL began public consultation on two potential options:
*Metro route: Wimbledon – Central London – Angel – Alexandra Palace (all underground)
*Regional route: Twickenham/Surbiton/Epsom – ''Wimbledon – Central London – Angel – Alexandra Palace (underground)'' plus Angel – Cheshunt.

The results of the consultation were published on 29 November 2013 by TfL and revealed broad support for the Crossrail 2 plans. 96% of respondents supported or strongly supported the plans, whilst 2% opposed or strongly opposed them. The regional route had greater support than the metro route, with 84% of respondents supporting or strongly supporting the regional route versus 73% for the metro plans.<ref name=Cr2ConRep13>{{cite web |title=Crossrail 2 Consultation Report |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/crossrail_2_Consultation_Report.pdf |work=Transport for London Website |author=Steer Davies Gleave |page=1 |date=October 2013 |access-date=29 November 2013}}</ref>

The greatest level of opposition to the principle of Crossrail 2 came from the residents of [[Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea|Kensington and Chelsea]], the only area with more than 5% of respondents (16%) who strongly opposed the scheme. Nearly 20% of respondents from this area either opposed or strongly opposed the scheme; the corresponding percentages in all other areas did not exceed 10%.<ref name=Cr2ConRepGeo13>{{cite web |title=Crossrail 2 Consultation Report |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/crossrail_2_Consultation_Report.pdf |work=Transport for London Website |author=Steer Davies Gleave |page=18 |date=October 2013 |access-date=29 November 2013}}</ref>

===2014 consultation===
In June 2014, a consultation began on small modifications to the 2013 proposals. The changes proposed fell broadly into three areas: extending the Alexandra Palace branch to New Southgate; relocation or removal of the Chelsea station; and moving the point at which the two northern branches diverged to beyond either Dalston Junction or Hackney Downs station, calling at only one of these two stations.<ref name=TflJune2014Consultation>{{cite web |title=Crossrail 2 June 2014 |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail/june-2014 |website=TfL Consultations Portal |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=5 July 2014 |archive-date=4 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804113237/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail/june-2014/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2015 consultation===
A further consultation began in October 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2015/public-consultation-begins-on-transformative-crossrail-2 |title=Public consultation begins on 'transformative' Crossrail 2 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In October 2015, the route proposal was changed in three ways:

* Balham was to be the preferred stop instead of the nearby alternative of Tooting Broadway. This would give a further railway interchange
* Not to serve the remainder of the Kingston Loop Line (Strawberry Hill and Twickenham).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/ |title=Crossrail October 2015 |access-date=30 October 2015 |archive-date=1 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801075049/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/crossrail2/october2015/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*A (pink-coloured) option bypassing Turnpike Lane and Alexandra Palace and instead going via [[Wood Green]] to support "Haringey's aspiration for the redevelopment of Wood Green High Street .. situated in the main retail area of Wood Green with access to shops, leisure and services".<ref name="auto"/>

In January 2016, [[Surrey County Council]] published a detailed report lobbying for TfL to consider extending branches to [[Dorking]] and [[Woking]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.surreycc.gov.uk/2016/01/08/crossrail-2-could-go-to-dorking-and-should-extend-to-woking/|title=Crossrail 2 could go to Dorking and should extend to Woking |date=2016-01-06 |access-date=2024-11-22}}</ref>

==Cost and funding==
The cost of the scheme has been estimated at £27–32 billion, in 2014 prices including the cost of new trains and Network Rail works.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://crossrail2.co.uk/funding/|title=Funding – Crossrail 2}}</ref> However Transport for London (TfL) argued the full cost of the project could be £45 billion in 2017. To ease the funding issues TfL recommended spreading the funding over a longer period and completing the project by the 2040s, ten years after the initial projection.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/alarm-as-crossrail-2-may-not-be-completed-until-the-2040s-a3649051.html|title= Alarm as Crossrail 2 'may not be completed until the 2040s' |author= Jonathan Prynn |work= [[Evening Standard]] |date= 3 October 2017 |access-date= 12 October 2017}}</ref>

In the 2016 Budget, the Treasury gave the green light for the project, and allocated £80 million towards developing the project, with the aim of bringing forward a [[Hybrid Bill]] "this Parliament", meaning before 2020.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2016-documents/budget-2016 |title=Budget 2016 |publisher= HM Treasury |date=16 March 2016}}</ref>

In the 2017 Autumn Budget, the Treasury said only that it will "continue to work with Transport for London on developing fair and affordable plans for Crossrail 2, including through an independent review of funding and financing".<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autumn-budget-2017-documents/autumn-budget-2017 |title=Autumn Budget 2017 |publisher= HM Treasury |date=22 November 2017}}</ref> On 2 March 2018, the UK's Transport Secretary, who represents a seat centred on a prospective terminus of one of the branch lines ([[Epsom and Ewell (UK Parliament constituency)|Epsom and Ewell]]), announced Mike Gerrard would lead the Treasury's required Independent Affordability Review, which is expected to conclude in the summer of 2018.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grayling-progress-on-transpennine-route-upgrade-and-crossrail-2-to-advance-in-lockstep |title=Grayling: progress on Transpennine route upgrade and Crossrail 2 to advance in lockstep |publisher=Department for Transport |date=2 March 2018}}</ref>

The mayor of London intends to charge Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy in the same manner as for the original Crossrail project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/implementing-london-plan/mayoral-community-infrastructure-levy |title=Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy |website=Mayor of London |access-date=5 August 2021}}</ref>

The funding plan for building Crossrail 2 was postponed as part of the £1.8 billion [[COVID-19 pandemic in London|COVID-19 pandemic]] financial recovery plan agreed by the government and TfL, which also required the option for driverless Crossrail 2 trains to be further investigated. Most consultancy work will be brought to an orderly end, though land for the project will be [[Safeguarding (planning law)|safeguarded]].<ref name=":0" />

==History==
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2015}}

A south-west/north-east tube line was originally planned as early as 1901<ref name="culg">{{Cite web|url=http://www.davros.org/rail/culg/future.html#chelsea|title=Technical information about the Chelsea-Hackney Line|first=Clive|last=Feather|access-date=7 March 2008}}</ref> and a Bill was put before Parliament in 1904.<ref name="dft">{{Cite web | title = Consultation on safeguarding revision for the Chelsea-Hackney line | publisher=[[Department for Transport]] |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/archive/2007/consulchelhackney/consulchelhackmain?page=2#a1006 | access-date = 18 October 2007}}</ref> However, political manoeuvring by rival tube magnate [[Charles Yerkes]] ended the proposal.<ref name="culg"/>

===1970s===
{{Chelsea-Hackney line 1974}}
A south-west to north-east tube line was proposed in 1970 by the [[London Transport Board]]'s London Rail Study as the next project after the completion of the [[Victoria line]] and the [[Fleet line]] (now the Jubilee line). Designed to relieve pressure on the [[District line|District]], [[Central line (London Underground)|Central]] and [[Victoria line|Victoria]] lines and to link two areas without tube services, the route would have taken over the {{lus|Wimbledon}} branch of the District as far as {{lus|Parsons Green}}, then followed a new underground alignment via {{lus|Aldwych}} (where it would take over the then Piccadilly line shuttle to Holborn); thence to {{lus|Leytonstone}}, and continuing over one of the branches of the [[Central line (London Underground)|Central line]].<ref>{{Cite news|work=The Times |location=UK |title=London Transport plans third new Tube Line|date=2 January 1970}}</ref> For financial reasons the line was not built, but the idea has remained.

===1980s===
{{Kings line}}
Following the Central London Rail Study of 1989, a route through central London was safeguarded.<ref name="culg"/> As the route would serve both King's Cross and King's Road it was suggested that it could be named ''Kings line''. It was decided, however, that the [[Jubilee line extension]] should take priority and the project was postponed.

===1990s===
{{Express Metro}}
In 1995, an alternative ''Express Metro'' plan was put forward that would utilise more existing track, have fewer stations and be built to National Rail standards. It would take one of three routes from {{lus|East Putney}} on the [[District line]] to {{lus|Victoria}}; either {{lus|Putney Bridge}}, {{lus|Parsons Green}} and {{lus|Chelsea}} or King's Road as in the original safeguarded plan; or to {{rws|Wandsworth Town}} and {{rws|Clapham Junction}} and then via Chelsea Harbour and King's Road or via Battersea. From Hackney Central it would split into two branches, to {{lus|Leytonstone}} and then on to {{lus|Epping}} taking over the [[Central line (London Underground)|Central line]]; and taking over the [[North London Line]] to {{rws|North Woolwich||Woolwich}},<ref name="culg"/> a route now followed by the [[Docklands Light Railway]].

The 1991 safeguarding also included a spur south of Victoria across the river to Battersea Park, for stabling trains and to access a riverside tunnelling site.

===2000s===
{{Chelsea-Hackney Regional Metro}}
The London East West Study in 2000 considered [[Crossrail]], the Chelsea–Hackney line and a combination of the two, from {{lus|Wimbledon}} to {{lus|Tottenham Court Road}} and then to {{lus|Liverpool Street}}. The Study supposes main-line gauge, and would omit a station at {{lus|Piccadilly Circus}}. Its version of the Chelsea-Hackney Regional Metro splits in the north, with one branch via Dalston taking over the {{lus|Epping}} branch of the Central line, the other to {{lus|Finsbury Park}}, then using the disused alignment of the [[Northern Heights]] plan, taking over the {{lus|High Barnet}} branch of the [[Northern line]]. The Express Metro option would run on the [[East Coast Main Line]].<ref name="culg"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=London East West Study |publisher=Shadow Strategic Rail Authority |year=2000 |url=http://www.crossrail.co.uk/80256B090053AF4C/Files/context16/$FILE/eastwest.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013222430/http://www.crossrail.co.uk/80256B090053AF4C/Files/context16/%24FILE/eastwest.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2007}}</ref>

[[Crossrail]] was given the go-ahead in 2007 in preference to the Chelsea–Hackney line, despite some commentators favouring the latter<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23681951-crossrail-will-eat-money-kill-it-boris-and-save-the-bankrupt-tube-instead.do |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018173913/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crossrail-will-eat-money-kill-it-boris-and-save-the-bankrupt-tube-instead-6761783.html |archive-date=18 October 2012 |title=Crossrail will eat money. Kill it, Boris, and save the bankrupt Tube instead |newspaper=Evening Standard |access-date=30 September 2015}}</ref> putting implementation after Crossrail's completion date of 2018. The Chelsea–Hackney plans were taken over by Crossrail as ''Crossrail 2''.

In 2007, the 1991 route was updated – Sloane Square was dropped and the Central line's Epping branch from Leytonstone was re-safeguarded.<ref name="dft"/> Due to objections from residents of Sloane Square, it was reinstated the following year.<ref name="Safeguard 2008 Part A"/><ref name="Safeguarding update"/> [[South West Trains]]' Wimbledon depot was safeguarded as a depot for the line.<ref name="Safeguarding update"/> The safeguarding was enlarged from tube gauge to Network Rail [[loading gauge]] as it became clear that larger and longer trains would be needed.<ref name="Dalston">[http://londonreconnections.blogspot.com/2010/06/trouble-up-dalston-junction.html Trouble Up The (Dalston) Junction – The Difficulties of Safeguarding], ''London Reconnections''</ref> Of the three routes proposed for south-west London the [[Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea]] initially favoured one going south via Imperial Wharf to Clapham Junction, but now supports the takeover of the District line's Wimbledon branch.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/rbkcdirect/chelseahackney/ch0309.asp |title=Chelsea-Hackney Line: first on the agenda |publisher=Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea |date=October 2003 |access-date=18 October 2007}}</ref> Under these present plans, only one entirely new station would be constructed, at Chelsea.

===2010s===
====2008 safeguarded route====
A route for the line was [[Safeguarding (planning law)|safeguarded]] (legally protected from conflicting development) in 2008. It linked the [[District line]]'s Wimbledon branch with the [[Central line (London Underground)|Central line]]'s Epping branch via {{stl|London Underground|Parsons Green}}, {{stl|London Underground|Chelsea}}, {{stl|London Underground|Sloane Square}}, {{stl|London Underground|Victoria}}, {{stl|London Underground|Piccadilly Circus}}, {{stl|London Underground|Tottenham Court Road}}, {{stl|London Underground|King's Cross St Pancras}}, {{stl|London Underground|Angel}}, {{Stnlnk|Essex Road}}, {{Stnlnk|Dalston Junction}}, {{Stnlnk|Hackney Central}}, {{Stnlnk|Homerton}} and {{stl|London Underground|Leytonstone}}.<ref name="Safeguard 2008 Part A">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110722104959/http://www.crossrail.co.uk/assets/library/document/c/original/chelsea_hackney_safeguarding_directions_june_2008_part_11.pdf Chelsea–Hackney Line Safeguarding Directions, June 2008 Part A] (PDF), Crossrail, accessed 22 December 2010</ref><ref name="Safeguard 2008 Part B">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110722105128/http://www.crossrail.co.uk/assets/library/document/c/original/chelsea_hackney_safeguarding_directions_june_2008_part_21.pdf Chelsea–Hackney Line Safeguarding Directions, June 2008 Part B] (PDF), Crossrail, accessed 22 December 2010</ref> The safeguarding also includes a spur from Victoria under the [[Thames]] to [[Battersea Park]] for stabling and access to a tunnelling site.<ref name="Safeguard 2008 Part A"/><ref name="Safeguarding update">[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100513135118/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/local/outcome?page=6 Consultation on safeguarding revision of the Chelsea Hackney Line – outcome report], Department for Transport</ref> The safeguarded route was reviewed by the Department for Transport in 2013.<ref name="londonfirstreport"/>

====Northern and southern destinations====
Network Rail's July 2011 [[route utilisation strategy]] (RUS) for London and the South East supports the existing safeguarded route but speculates about possible modifications in addition to re-routing via Euston. To the south, it suggests that the tunnels should go from Victoria via Clapham Junction to beyond Wimbledon, instead of surfacing near Parsons Green and taking over the District line from there to Wimbledon. To the north, it suggests that the [[West Anglia Main Line|West Anglia corridor]] would be a better destination than a branch of the Central line. These suggestions are driven by what the RUS sees as the need for extra capacity on the [[South West Main Line]] and the West Anglia corridor.
With the planned terminus of [[HS2]] at {{Stnlnk|Euston}}, Chelsea–Hackney was put back to the top of the agenda for new lines, diverted via Euston.

The London and South East second generation RUS by [[Network Rail]] proposed some changes to the safeguarded route: serving {{Stnlnk|Clapham Junction}} rather than the {{stl|London Underground|Wimbledon}} branch of the [[District line]], not serving {{stl|London Underground|Sloane Square}}, and serving {{stl|London Underground|Euston}} as well as {{stl|London Underground|King's Cross St Pancras}}. The RUS was also open to changes north of {{Stnlnk|Hackney Central}} and branches south of Clapham Junction, both of which were seen as later phases.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/rus%20generation%202/london%20and%20south%20east/london%20and%20south%20east%20route%20utilisation%20strategy.pdf|title=London and South East Route Utilisation Strategy (section 8.5)|publisher=Network Rail|date=July 2011|access-date=11 February 2012|archive-date=13 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213164156/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/rus%20generation%202/london%20and%20south%20east/london%20and%20south%20east%20route%20utilisation%20strategy.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Transport for London|TfL]] responded by releasing its preferred options – an automatic metro and a regional scheme:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.transportxtra.com/magazines/local_transport_today/news/?id=28776|title=Metro or regional rail? TfL maps Crossrail 2 options|publisher=TransportXtra|date=18 November 2011|access-date=11 February 2012}}</ref>

In July 2015, [[Surrey County Council]] commissioned a study to propose in detail and with cost-benefits analysed proposals, services from Surbiton as far as the main line stop of [[Woking]] (and whether or not to serve directly the four main intervening stations).<ref name=eagle/> Options explored were the re-routing trains so as not to terminate at Waterloo and creative timetabling plans to add capacity to the [[South West Main Line]] such as the option of moving trains onto the lighter-used [[New Guildford Line]] which runs between [[Surbiton]] and [[Guildford]], looking at more semi-fast stopping patterns enabled as well once the Waterloo bottleneck is lifted.<ref name=eagle>{{cite web|title=Crossrail 2 project could include Woking and Guildford stations|url=http://www.964eagle.co.uk/news/local-news/1675580/crossrail-2-project-could-include-woking-and-guildford-stations/|website=96.4 Eagle Radio|access-date=17 July 2015|archive-date=20 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720230604/http://www.964eagle.co.uk/news/local-news/1675580/crossrail-2-project-could-include-woking-and-guildford-stations/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Collapsible list
|title =''Automatic Metro''
|{{stl|London Underground|Wimbledon}}
|{{stl|London Underground|Tooting Broadway}}
|{{Stnlnk|Clapham Junction}}
|{{stl|London Underground|King's Road Chelsea}}
|{{stl|London Underground|Victoria}}
|{{stl|London Underground|Piccadilly Circus}}
|{{stl|London Underground|Tottenham Court Road}}
|{{Stnlnk|Euston St Pancras}} ''double-ended station serving both main-line stations as well as King's Cross main-line station and {{stl|London Underground|Euston}} and {{stl|London Underground|King's Cross St Pancras}} Underground stations''
|{{stl|London Underground|Angel}}
|{{Stnlnk|Essex Road}}
|{{Stnlnk|Dalston Junction}}
|{{Stnlnk|Hackney Central}}
|{{stl|London Underground|Seven Sisters}}
}}

{{Collapsible list
 | title =''Regional Option''
 | ''Commencing at {{Stnlnk|Twickenham}}, {{Stnlnk|Shepperton}}, {{Stnlink|Woking}}, {{Stnlnk|Chessington South}} and {{Stnlnk|Epsom}} (take over or share South West Trains routes)''
 | {{stl|London Underground|Wimbledon}}
 | {{stl|London Underground|Tooting Broadway}}
 | {{Stnlnk|Clapham Junction}}
 | {{stl|London Underground|King's Road Chelsea}}
 | {{stl|London Underground|Victoria}}
 | {{stl|London Underground|Tottenham Court Road}}
 | {{Stnlnk|Euston St. Pancras}} ''double-ended station serving both main-line stations as well as King's Cross main-line station and {{stl|London Underground|Euston}} and {{stl|London Underground|King's Cross St Pancras}} Underground stations''
 | {{stl|London Underground|Angel}} ''splits into two branches''
 | {{Stnlnk|Dalston Junction}} // *{{Stnlnk|Hackney Downs}} / {{Stnlnk|Hackney Central}} ''double-ended station''
 | {{stl|London Underground|Seven Sisters}} // *{{stl|London Underground|Tottenham Hale}}
 | {{stl|London Underground|Wood Green}} // *{{Stnlnk|Cheshunt}}
 | {{Stnlnk|Alexandra Palace}} ''Terminates'' // ''Continuing to {{Stnlnk|Hertford East}} (take over or share the Great Eastern branch)''
}}

Both TfL routes at both ends of the route serve Clapham Junction to a higher level than relieving the [[District line]], and the [[Victoria line]] at its northern end, and the [[Central line (London Underground)|Central line]]. The regional option relieves the [[South West Main Line]], and congested sections of the [[Northern line]] and [[Piccadilly line]], by creating alternative routes for journeys from outside Zones 1 and 2.

In February 2013, business group [[London First]]'s Crossrail taskforce, chaired by former Secretary of State for Transport [[Andrew Adonis]] published its recommendations for Crossrail 2, favouring the regional option.<ref>{{cite web|title=Crossrail 2 supporting London's growth: Final report of London's first Crossrail task force|url=http://londonfirst.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LF_CROSSRAIL2_REPORT_AW_Single_Pages.pdf|website=londonfirst.co.uk|access-date=16 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019234108/http://londonfirst.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LF_CROSSRAIL2_REPORT_AW_Single_Pages.pdf|archive-date=19 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later the same day, [[Network Rail]] endorsed the plans.<ref>{{cite web|title=Crossrail 2 supporting London's growth: Final report of London's first Crossrail task force|url=http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/network-rail-crossrail-2-vital-to-londons-economic-growth/|website=lbreakingtravelnews.com|access-date=16 April 2017}}</ref>

On 5 February 2015 Dr [[Michèle Dix]] was appointed managing director of Crossrail 2.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michèle Dix takes over as Crossrail 2 chief, receives CBE|url=http://www.uitp.org/news/mich%C3%A8le-dix-takes-over-crossrail-2-chief-receives-cbe|publisher=Union Internationale des Transports Publics|language=en|access-date=1 November 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107023108/http://www.uitp.org/news/mich%C3%A8le-dix-takes-over-crossrail-2-chief-receives-cbe|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Collapsible list
| title=Proposed changes from previous plans were:
| Services west of {{Stnlnk|Surbiton}} would go to {{Stnlnk|Hampton Court}} instead of {{Stnlnk|Woking}}
| Chelsea station would be called "King's Road Chelsea"
| The double-ended station "{{Stnlnk|Euston}} [[London King's Cross railway station|King's Cross]] {{Stnlnk|St. Pancras}}" would serve Euston as well as King's Cross and St. Pancras
| {{stl|London Underground|Turnpike Lane}} would be served instead of {{stl|London Underground|Wood Green}}
| The other branch from Angel would serve Hackney, {{Stnlnk|Tottenham Hale}} and {{Stnlnk|Cheshunt}}.
}}

In March 2016, the National Infrastructure Commission said that Crossrail 2 should be taken forward "as a priority" and recommended that a bill should pass through Parliament by 2019 with the line opening by 2033.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/crossrail-2-must-be-developed-as-a-priority-and-delivered-by-2033--nic |title=Crossrail 2 must be developed 'as a priority' and delivered by 2033 – NIC}}</ref>

==Support and opposition==
[[File:Curzon Cinema 99 Shaftesbury Avenue.JPG|thumb|Curzon Soho]]

===Support===
[[Boris Johnson]], [[Mayor of London]] in 2013, said at that time: "The key question now is not whether Crossrail 2 should happen, but how quickly we can get it built".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Huge support for Mayor's £12bn Crossrail 2 scheme for London|last=Beard|first=Matthew|date=29 November 2013|work=[[London Evening Standard]]|page=6}}</ref> Johnson, as [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]], restated his backing for the project at an event to mark the opening of the [[Elizabeth Line]] in May 2022.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hakimian |first=Rob |date=2022-05-18 |title=Boris Johnson says it's now time to build Crossrail 2 |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/boris-johnson-says-its-now-time-to-build-crossrail-2-18-05-2022/ |access-date=2022-05-24 |magazine=New Civil Engineer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-17 |title=Let's 'crack on' with Crossrail 2, urges PM as Elizabeth Line completes |url=https://www.itv.com/news/london/2022-05-17/lets-crack-on-with-crossrail-2-urges-pm-as-elizabeth-line-completes |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=ITV News |language=en}}</ref>

The current mayor of London, [[Sadiq Khan]], also supports the proposal,<ref name=Mayor>{{cite web |date=28 October 2014 |title='Crossrail 2 vital to support London's growth', says Mayor |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases-6360 |location=London |access-date=16 April 2016}}</ref> as does the former [[Secretary of State for Transport]] [[Chris Grayling]].<ref name="Graylingsupport">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/24/transport-secretary-backs-crossrail-2-plan |title= Transport secretary's backing for Crossrail 2 sparks anger outside London |author= Gwyn Topham|work= The Guardian |date= 24 July 2017 |access-date= 26 July 2017}}</ref>

Many [[English local authorities|local authorities]] in South-east England and London released a letter on 13 April 2017, expressing their support for Crossrail 2.<ref name="LAsupport">{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/councils-call-on-government-for-crossrail-backing|title= Councils unite to call on government for Crossrail 2 backing |publisher=London.gov.uk |date= 13 April 2017 |access-date= 12 February 2018}}</ref> ITV news reported in April 2017 that "dozens of MPs" supported Crossrail 2.<ref name="ITVNews">{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/london/2017-04-21/dozens-of-mps-urged-the-government-to-support-crossrail-2/|title= Dozens of MPs urge the Government to support Crossrail 2 |work=ITV News |date= 21 April 2017 |access-date= 12 February 2018}}</ref>

After TfL conducted a public consultation in 2017, it was reported by the Fitzrovia Partnership that 96% of respondents supported Crossrail 2 and 80% of respondents preferred the broader of the two options, the Regional option.<ref name="FitzroviaPartnership">{{cite web|url=http://fitzroviapartnership.com/news/crossrail-2-announced-and-out-for-consulation/|title= crossrail-2 announced and out for consultation |publisher=FitzroviaPartnership |date= 29 June 2017 |access-date= 12 February 2018}}</ref>

The [[London Chamber of Commerce]] announced its support in July 2017 with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce announcing support for Crossrail 2 in September 2017.<ref name="LCCAM">{{cite web|url=http://www.cityam.com/268994/crossrail-2-latest-mayor-sadiq-khan-and-transport-secretary|title= Crossrail 2 latest: Mayor Sadiq Khan and transport secretary Chris Grayling set out next steps for £31bn rail route|author= Rebecca Smith|publisher= City AM|date= 24 July 2017|access-date= 12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213022332/http://www.cityam.com/268994/crossrail-2-latest-mayor-sadiq-khan-and-transport-secretary|archive-date= 13 February 2018|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name="GMCC">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbpmedia.co.uk/news/property-construction/chamber-supports-calls-for-crossrail-2.html|title= Chamber Supports Calls for Crossrail 2|publisher=BBP media|date= 14 September 2017 |access-date= 12 February 2018}}</ref>

During the [[Elizabeth line]] opening ceremony in May 2022, Boris Johnson said that "the government should be 'getting on with' building Crossrail 2", however he also clarified that the business case will need to be written and put forward by [[Transport for London]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hakimian |first=Rob |date=2022-05-18 |title=Boris Johnson says it's now time to build Crossrail 2 |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/boris-johnson-says-its-now-time-to-build-crossrail-2-18-05-2022/ |access-date=2022-05-26 |magazine=New Civil Engineer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lancefield |first=Neil |date=2022-05-17 |title=PM says 'we should be getting on' with Crossrail 2 |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/boris-johnson-government-london-prime-minister-mayor-b1000623.html |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref>

===Opposition===
In 2014, [[Transport for London]] announced that the site of the art-house [[Curzon Cinemas|Curzon]] cinema in Soho had been identified as an area that "may be required to enable the construction of a Crossrail 2 ticket hall" and that "plans for the above site redevelopment may include a replacement cinema".<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Kat |date=30 December 2014 |title=Curzon Soho cinema faces demolition for Crossrail |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/11317177/Curzon-Soho-cinema-faces-demolition-for-Crossrail.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |access-date=1 October 2015}}</ref> In 2015, the chairman of the "Save Soho" campaign group called the development "deeply worrying".<ref name=Guardian>{{cite news |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |date=22 September 2015 |title=Celebrities join fight to save Soho's Curzon cinema from Crossrail 2 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/22/celebrities-join-fight-to-save-sohos-curzon-cinema-from-crossrail-2-london |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |access-date=1 October 2015}}</ref>

The plans for Wimbledon station involve the redevelopment of parts of Wimbledon town centre, including the Centre Court shopping centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/14192801.Crossrail_2_consultation_has_ended__here_is_what_has_been_said_so_far/ |title=Crossrail 2 consultation has ended: here is what has been said so far |website=Wimbledon Guardian |date=8 January 2016}}</ref> Merton Council issued a seven-page cross-party objection to the plans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merton.gov.uk/cr2_cross_party_response.pdf |title=CROSSRAIL 2 CONSULTATION: MERTON COUNCIL'S CROSS-PARTY RESPONSE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327155626/http://www.merton.gov.uk/cr2_cross_party_response.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2016 |access-date=16 September 2016}}</ref>

There was only a short interval between the announcements of the confirmation of continued government support for Crossrail 2 in 2017, and of the scaling back of [[Proposed railway electrification in Great Britain|proposed railway electrification projects]] which would particularly benefit Wales and Northern England. [[Mayor of Greater Manchester|Greater Manchester mayor]] [[Andy Burnham]] considered that the in-principle spending decision gives undue and unbalanced priority to London and South East England over other parts of the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40708531 |title= Crossrail 2: Support by government 'outrageous' after northern snub |publisher= [[BBC]] |date= 25 July 2017 |access-date= 12 October 2017}}</ref>

==Naming==
Between the 1970s and 1990s, proposals were known as the "Chelsea-Hackney line" due to the destinations served. The proposed line gained the nickname "Chelney", following the [[portmanteau]] example of the [[Bakerloo line]].

In the 2000s, the project became "Crossrail 2" in light of the east-west [[Crossrail]] project. In 2014, [[Boris Johnson|Mayor of London Boris Johnson]] called for the future line to be called the "Churchill line", after [[Winston Churchill]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Nick |date=2014-10-28 |title=Boris Johnson says Crossrail Two better for economy than HS2 |language=en-GB |journal=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/11192822/Boris-Johnson-says-Crossrail-Two-better-for-economy-than-HS2.html |access-date=2019-08-20 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Engineering|Trains}}
* [[Crossrail]]
* [[Transport in London]]
* ''[[The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway]]'' - a documentary about the Elizabeth line's construction and commissioning

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Rail infrastructure projects in the United Kingdom|selected=proposed}}
{{Chelsea–Hackney line navbox}}

[[Category:Proposed railway lines in London]]
[[Category:Transport in Epping Forest District]]
[[Category:Proposed London Underground lines]]
[[Category:Underground commuter rail]]