Crossrail the largest addition to the transport network in London and the South East for more than 50 years will mean more capacity and faster journeys for passengers, as well as a £20bn boost to the wider UK economy.

The line will run from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west through tunnels under central London - with new stations at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Isle of Dogs (Canary Wharf) - then out to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

Crowding on London's transport network is expected to be reduced as more than 1,500 passengers will be able to travel on each train - bringing an additional 1.5m people within 60 minutes' commuting distance of London's key business districts.

Heathrow will be 31 minutes away from the West End and 43 minutes from Canary Wharf.

At peak times, 24 trains per hour will run in each direction through central London, reaching speeds of up to 100mph on open stretches and 60mph in tunnels.
The project is predicted to create 30,000 jobs with up to 14,000 people employed at the peak period of construction.

Major enabling works are expected to start next year with the main construction to begin in 2010.

Detailed planning consent from councils will still be required for specific developments, along with the purchase of the land for the route and detailed design studies carried out.

The route is expected to carry 200m people each year, relieving pressure on Tube lines.