Last week, Bethnal Green and Bow MP Rushanara Ali was given a tour of the Crossrail site in Whitechapel. Rushanara met with the Chief Executive of Crossrail, Andrew Wolstenholme OBE, and other senior staff who gave her an update on the development. 

Crossrail is one of Europe’s biggest construction projects and one of the largest infrastructure developments ever undertaken in the UK. The project will benefit millions of Londoners who wish to commute across the capital to travel to London’s business centres fast. The development involves the construction of nine new stations including Whitechapel where works are currently in progress.

Following her visit, Rushanara said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the Crossrail site in Whitechapel where I was able to get a unique insight into the project that once completed will have a significant impact on the lives of many of my constituents. Crossrail will prove a vital investment to this area of London with its links from the heart of Tower Hamlets to London’s business centres, West End and Heathrow Airport.

“I had the opportunity to witness Crossrail staff and the impressive machinery at work 10 storeys underground and was able to truly understand the scope of the project. I also had the opportunity to address the concerns raised by some of my constituents about the level of disruption the development has caused to local residents.

“This is an exciting project that has also provided young people in my constituency with an insight into a major development as Crossrail has worked with local schools and community organisations to engage those who have an interest in engineering. It is important that such opportunities for training opens up prospects to local residents seeking work which I believe requires a constant focus throughout and beyond the rest of the Crossrail development.  

“I look forward to the official opening of the new Whitechapel station and the new railway in 2018.”

This week Crossrail also launched their 2013 Sustainability Report which revealed that in 2012-13, people from London’s boroughs filled 86 per cent of new Crossrail jobs, with 62 per cent of new jobs being taken by people who were previously unemployed.