Delayed Woolwich Crossrail station in funding struggle amid ‘looming cash crisis’ in council
By Kiro Evans, Local Democracy Reporter
A Greenwich Crossrail station faces a funding battle as the council struggles to raise cash for it.
Over half of the £15 million from Greenwich council still needs to be found in order to pay for their share of the new station.
Crossrail had been expected to open on the Elizabeth Line in 2018, but is now earmarked for spring 2022.
New Greenwich council papers reveal that the amount paid towards the Woolwich Crossrail station is already £6,917,253.
It means the local authority is still over £8 million short of paying their bill as councillors warn of a “looming cash crisis”.
It has led to fears that the lack of cash means money meant for other building projects may need to be redirected.
A £54 million deal was reached by Greenwich Council, property developer Berkeley Homes and TfL (Transport for London) to fund the Woolwich stop in 2013.
At the time the new station was hailed as an opportunity to support regeneration of Woolwich and improving access to jobs.
The station will join Abbey Wood as stops where locals in South East London can access Crossrail.
They will be able to travel as far as Reading in Berkshire once works are complete.
Reacting to the council papers, Greenwich Conservatives’ leader, councillor Nigel Fletcher, said: “I’ve been asking for months about this looming cash crisis, and how the council will pay the bill.
“This bad deal has already diverted millions of pounds of developers’ contributions that should have been spent on improving communities across the borough, and now even more of that fund will have to be raided.
“Our most deprived communities will now pay the price for the council’s bad choices.”
Greenwich council have been contacted for comment.
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Fletcher spouting toxic drivel as usual
What choice did RBG have? Decline a Crossrail station? Ludicrous.
What alternative does Fletcher propose? Silence as always.
The delays and corresponding cost increases aren’t RBG’s fault in any way but Fletcher won’t let the facts get in the way of sounding off and making an idiot of himself.
Better to remain quiet in fear of appearing foolish, than to open one’s mouth to remove all doubt.