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HS2 and Crossrail chairman resigns | HS2 and Crossrail chairman resigns |
(35 minutes later) | |
The chairman of the Crossrail and HS2 rail programmes, two of Britain's biggest infrastructure projects, has resigned from both roles. | The chairman of the Crossrail and HS2 rail programmes, two of Britain's biggest infrastructure projects, has resigned from both roles. |
Sir Terry Morgan, 70, has been involved in London's Crossrail project for the past decade and took up the HS2 role just four months ago. | |
He told the BBC this week there was disappointment at Westminster about the delays affecting Crossrail. | He told the BBC this week there was disappointment at Westminster about the delays affecting Crossrail. |
The Elizabeth Line had been due to open in December 2018. | |
However, it has been delayed until autumn 2019 to allow more time for testing. | |
Sir Terry said this week he expected to be told to go. | |
"My expectation is that I will be asked to resign, and in the interests of both great programmes, that is what I will do," he told the BBC on Monday. | |
He said the Crossrail programme had been put back partly because of delays in ordering the trains, which was ultimately the responsibility of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. | |
Mr Khan said: "Not only was I angry when Crossrail informed us that the project would be delayed, but historically there has been a lack of adequate information shared by the senior Crossrail leadership with the project's joint sponsors - namely, the Department for Transport and Transport for London." | |
Allan Cook has been appointed as the new chair of HS2, and a Crossrail successor will be announced, the Department for Transport said. | Allan Cook has been appointed as the new chair of HS2, and a Crossrail successor will be announced, the Department for Transport said. |
HS2, the government's planned £55bn high-speed rail network, promises to cut journey times from London to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds when up and running. | |
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling thanked Sir Terry for his dedication and expertise on Crossrail. |