A new report has outlined key ways in which councils and their partners can ensure Crossrail fulfils its regeneration potential throughout the capital.
Crossrail as a Catalyst includes a 20-point checklist for boroughs covering everything from planning to employment which has been drawn up using lessons from six stations on the £15bn pan-London railway.
Allied to that are a series of recommendations for councils and policymakers designed to spread the benefits of Crossrail ahead of its opening in 2018.
The report, by policy network Future of London, said that where regeneration is part of the business case for projects, parliament should provide enabling powers – such as over land acquisition – and a funding structure to support it.
More local control over funding and use of public money to draw private investors into ‘less attractive areas’ are vital, the report said.
Future of London Director, Lisa Taylor, said: ‘Realising the regeneration and development potential of rail schemes matters for London. It matters for future schemes in making their case, and it matters for communities awaiting Crossrail. Our report is an urgent call to action for all involved, and a set of best-practice guidelines to help stakeholders realise the opportunities while there’s still time.
‘Our report also identifies how London could achieve much more in terms of station-area regeneration – and its ripple effect on local economies and communities – if greater consideration was given to the ‘non-rail’ aspects of station development right from the outset.’
Katie Kerr, senior planner at Arup, one of the report’s co-sponsors, said: ‘This report enables local authorities to capitalise on the regeneration and development potential created by Crossrail. Every community along the route is different but sharing best practice is an effective way to ensure that local authorities can help their areas to become vibrant, productive and sustainable places to live. Initiatives don’t all have to be costly as small-scale changes can make a big impact but now is the time to act.’
