Charlotte Fernández
UKIMEA Press Office,Leeds
'The impact of Crossrail on visitor numbers in central London' report indicates that Crossrail could deliver significantly more passengers to the heart of the capital than previously estimated.
Arup’s report, prepared on behalf of three Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) – the New West End Company, inmidtown, The Fitzrovia Partnership – working with City Of Westminster, London Borough of Camden, Transport for London and Crossrail Ltd, revisits previous projections that were used for the Crossrail Hybrid Bill (2004).
Arup was commissioned to undertake the study in order to help businesses, local authorities and other organisations revisit and plan for the likely impacts and opportunities that Crossrail may bring to central London.
Driven by population and employment growth in London and the South East, the report reveals that Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Farringdon stations could serve as many as 250 million visitors into and out of central London by 2026. This figure represents 65 million more passengers than the 2004 estimates suggested. On an annual basis, this is equivalent to some 166 million additional passengers than use the three stations today.
The report breaks down the figures further to explain that Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Farringdon will handle around three-quarters of a million people per day by 2026 – an additional half million compared to 2013 levels.
“With London’s population growing by two thousand every eight days, Arup’s analysis suggests Crossrail’s stations will be somewhat busier sooner than was originally anticipated. This is in line with the experience of London Overground improvements and DLR extensions. Crossrail stations are designed to handle the flow but there are going to be significant opportunities - and some challenges - for property owners, local authorities, retailers, employers, the entertainment industry and residents.
Alexander Jan, Arup Director and one of the report’s authors.
The report will help inform the debate about the need for further investment in ‘active city management’, for example in the areas of traffic control, safety and security, choices around pedestrianisation, public lighting and other elements of the “public realm”. It references the need to ensure funding mechanisms and resources are available to maximise the benefits Crossrail will deliver to the centre of London.
‘The impact of Crossrail on visitor numbers in Central London’ report is available to download.