‘More land purchase powers needed’ if Crossrail is to be catalyst for change

Parliament must give more powers such as land acquisition if urban regeneration is to be used as the business case for future major projects like Crossrail, a new study urges.

Artist impression of Crossrail's Whitechapel station - Credit: Crossrail

Development opportunities exist if communities are ready to act on Crossrail’s regeneration potential, says the Future of London regeneration and housing network which commissioned the ‘Crossrail as a Catalyst’ report.

The study looked at six very different stations on the line opening in four years’ time, such as Whitechapel and Bond Street.

“Every community along the route is different,” said senior planner Katie Kerr from Arup construction. “But sharing best practice is an effective way to make sure local authorities can help their areas become vibrant and sustainable.”

The report gives a checklist for London borough councils wanting to boost regeneration before Crossrail starts running in 2018.

The combination of land values, community interaction and council resources does not yet exist in some places where Crossrail is stopping, it warns.

So Parliament must be prepared to “broaden the legislation remit from the start” if regeneration is to be part if the business case in future projects.