The Crossrail Act 2008 (the “Act”) received Royal Assent on 22 July 2008.   The Act authorises the works necessary to build Crossrail and the acquisition of land and interests in land necessary for those works.   In addition, the Act establishes a planning and heritage regime for the works.

Crossrail will require new stations to be built at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel and the Isle of Dogs.  The main construction work is expected to start in 2010, with Crossrail being operational for passengers in 2017.