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Crossrail is a MASSIVE project. It's actually really impressive that it's getting delivered at all. I hope we see a lot more of these large scale projects - the

Crossrail is a MASSIVE project. It's actually really impressive that it's getting delivered at all. I hope we see a lot more of these large scale projects - they don't just change commutes and travel, they change places and lives.

laumars 7y ago
This is a topic very close to me because I live and work on the Crossrail route. I've seen how this has affected house prices and, frankly, I can't wait some of the burden is taken off the Central Line. You're absolutely right about how significant a change a project like this is in terms of towns, communities and lives.
ponyous 7y ago
In 2015 I remember seeing billboards around construction sites saying: "Biggest construction project in Europe". Not sure what the claim was based off.
rdlou 7y ago
and the Tideway project. Huge feats of engineering. Although I doubt a considerable sewerage pipe is going to increase your home value.
- danpalmer 7y ago
  I live close to one of the tributaries that is significantly affected by the sewage issues in London at the moment, not far from the Three Mills area. I've looked at flats around there and they are a good 15-20% cheaper than I'd expect... with the main caveat being that much of the area kinda smells. I would expect many of them to increase in value once Tideway comes online and that area smells less. I also walk along the Jubilee Greenway in East London quite a lot, and much of that is built on top of the old above-ground sewer pipes that lead down to the old Bazalgette sewage pumping station in Abbey Mills. Hopefully once those pipes are decommissioned the Jubilee Greenway should be much nicer to walk along! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Mills_Pumping_Station https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Mills_Pumping_Station
- crispyporkbites 7y ago
  I suppose if the sewage pipe isn't there it would have a dramatic affect of reducing your home value :)
isostatic 7y ago
Crossrail has added billions to land values (and thus house prices) along the route. This is a wealth transfer from income tax payers to land owners. Income tax payers are already at breaking point - especially those who don't own land. Don't expect many more "rob from the poor to give to the rich" schemes until tax is reformed.
- blibble 7y ago
  the expensive bit is the tunnel and stations under central london where there aren't any houses
  - mannykannot 7y ago
    Maybe so, but that cannot be separated from the project as a whole, as there is no point to it if it did not go there.
  - isostatic 7y ago
    That's not really the point. 1) Crossrail cost billions 2) Income tax payers in the UK had to pay for that 3) Income tax payers have had enough and don't want to pay for infrastructure that benefits others Those who benefitted the most? The land owners in London who have made billions If the price increases -- the portion solely due to crossrail -- was taxed at 42% like income, then there would be far more money available for useful projects (like crossrail) Therefore the OPs hope ("I hope we see a lot more of these large scale projects") would be answered
    - dublinben 7y ago
      Those who benefit most from Crossrail will be those who will ride it every day. Increased property values around the route is just the visible effect of the benefit of being able to ride it. Secondary benefits will also fall on riders of other lines and street transportation that become less congested by riders diverted to the new Crossrail route.
      - 7y ago

laumars 7y ago

This is a topic very close to me because I live and work on the Crossrail route. I've seen how this has affected house prices and, frankly, I can't wait some of the burden is taken off the Central Line. You're absolutely right about how significant a change a project like this is in terms of towns, communities and lives.

ponyous 7y ago

In 2015 I remember seeing billboards around construction sites saying: "Biggest construction project in Europe". Not sure what the claim was based off.

rdlou 7y ago

and the Tideway project. Huge feats of engineering. Although I doubt a considerable sewerage pipe is going to increase your home value.

danpalmer 7y ago
I live close to one of the tributaries that is significantly affected by the sewage issues in London at the moment, not far from the Three Mills area. I've looked at flats around there and they are a good 15-20% cheaper than I'd expect... with the main caveat being that much of the area kinda smells. I would expect many of them to increase in value once Tideway comes online and that area smells less. I also walk along the Jubilee Greenway in East London quite a lot, and much of that is built on top of the old above-ground sewer pipes that lead down to the old Bazalgette sewage pumping station in Abbey Mills. Hopefully once those pipes are decommissioned the Jubilee Greenway should be much nicer to walk along! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Mills_Pumping_Station https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Mills_Pumping_Station
crispyporkbites 7y ago
I suppose if the sewage pipe isn't there it would have a dramatic affect of reducing your home value :)

isostatic 7y ago

Crossrail has added billions to land values (and thus house prices) along the route. This is a wealth transfer from income tax payers to land owners. Income tax payers are already at breaking point - especially those who don't own land. Don't expect many more "rob from the poor to give to the rich" schemes until tax is reformed.

blibble 7y ago
the expensive bit is the tunnel and stations under central london where there aren't any houses
- mannykannot 7y ago
  Maybe so, but that cannot be separated from the project as a whole, as there is no point to it if it did not go there.
- isostatic 7y ago
  That's not really the point. 1) Crossrail cost billions 2) Income tax payers in the UK had to pay for that 3) Income tax payers have had enough and don't want to pay for infrastructure that benefits others Those who benefitted the most? The land owners in London who have made billions If the price increases -- the portion solely due to crossrail -- was taxed at 42% like income, then there would be far more money available for useful projects (like crossrail) Therefore the OPs hope ("I hope we see a lot more of these large scale projects") would be answered
  - dublinben 7y ago
    Those who benefit most from Crossrail will be those who will ride it every day. Increased property values around the route is just the visible effect of the benefit of being able to ride it. Secondary benefits will also fall on riders of other lines and street transportation that become less congested by riders diverted to the new Crossrail route.
    - 7y ago