Statutory instrument

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Deputy Speaker,

I come to this house with another Order under the Transport and Works Act 2024. I hope you like these, because chances are a lot more will be put forward over the coming months. In this case, we have decided to give approval to two extensions of the Elizabeth line, one from Shenfield to Chelmsford, and another from Abbey Wood to Gravesend. These are two busy commuter stations on busy commuter lines with significant traffic into Central London which would benefit from a direct connection onto the tunnelled part of the Elizabeth line, and in the case of Gravesend, from the economic development brought by the improved infrastructure.

The construction involved in both projects are quite simple: in the case of the extension from Abbey Wood to Gravesend, we will be following the existing protected right of way for Crossrail, quadruple tracking a section of the North Kent Main Line between Dartford and Gravesend, as well as the Woolwich branch of the same railway line. This project is estimated to cost around £500 million to complete, and there will be an attempt to limit the disruption on the North Kent Main Line in particular. It is likely that there will be a closure of the line for a significant period of time, however, to ensure that workers can work day and night to get the quadrupling done as quickly as possible. The Woolwich branch will see disruption as well, as well as likely a longer closure than the Main Line itself, but due to lower passenger traffic levels this will be less disruptive.

Similarly, the construction to Chelmsford will be a simple quadrupling of the Great Eastern Main Line from Shenfield. Due to the relatively rural nature of the country between these two stations, it will be easy and relatively quick to get this work done, with more room to manoeuvre for construction workers in the fields surrounding the line. It is, however, likely to cause significant disruption as significant parts of Essex will see their rail service cut for perhaps up to a month. We will maximise weekend construction, but the simple truth of the matter is that such a significant improvement of the line requires closures. We estimate that the project to extend to Chelmsford will last until 2026, and that the project to extend to Gravesend will last until 2027. As for now, I shall take questions from the House.

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This speech was given by u/inadorable, who also submitted the SI on behalf of HM's 34th Government.