Crossrail boss confident

THE boss of Crossrail has insisted ‘We have a grip’ on the delayed and overbudget project.

Chief executive Mark Wild said the track between Berkshire and Essex via London will open next year. It was due to open in 2018, at a cost £15.9bn.

But it is more than two years late and will now cost £18.25bn. Wild said 2019 was a ‘pretty good year’, with tunnels, tracks, overhead lines and communication systems done, and trains set to start running early next year.

He said: ‘Look to the progress we’ve made, and have confidence that we do have a grip. We have a firm plan.’