Crossrail contracts totalling �1.5bn, including work at Whitechapel station, were announced yesterday and planners have committed to finding jobs for people in Tower Hamlets.

As part of the massive rail project, which will bring high-speed services across east and west London and beyond, Crossrail has started its tender process for construction work at Whitechapel, which includes building a new ticket hall, concourse and platforms.

Crossrail’s job brokerage officer also told the East London Advertiser yesterday that the company aims to find workers from our borough, though no guarantees were made on the number of jobs to be provided.

Crossrail has estimated that its building projects, which will run until 2018 in Whitechapel, will create 14,000 jobs across London.

Roma Thomas said: “When contracts are awarded, we expect there to be commitments in terms of minimum numbers of jobs and apprenticeships to go to workers across London, including Tower Hamlets.

“We can’t break down the number of jobs to be created borough by borough now.

“That is not the best way of planning.

“We aim to bridge the gap between contractors and local people.” The tender process for Bond Street, Liverpool Street and Tottenham Court Road works was also announced.

Works already underway in Whitechapel include building a new access road on the Swanlea School site; to build a ventilation and escape shaft next to Durward Street and preparatory works next to the Sainsbury’s in Cambridge Heath Road.

Site manager Jim Forrest estimated that 60 people work at the Whitechapel site which he expects to go up to 200 at peak construction times.

Work designed to simplify the station’s underground lines onto two tracks to accommodate the Crossrail extension is also underway.

Tracy Bailey, Crossrail’s community relations officer, said: “It’s hard to say that we will be able to keep the station open throughout the works - there may need to be temporary closures.

“There will be a temporary ticket hall and entrance into Durward Street while work is done on the Whitechapel Road entrance.”