Covid-19 and work overruns will mean Crossrail will exceed its current funding envelope, the government spending watchdog said in a report released today.
Crossrail has announced further delays to the full opening of its service, meaning the line will not be fully operational until early 2022 and adding an additional £450m to the cost of the scheme.
UK government payments to third parties to supply goods and services was 20% higher than predicted over three years because of poor procurement and outsourcing, according to a think-tank.
The firm leading the Crossrail project “deluded itself” over the line’s opening date and poor planning drove up the overall cost - which remains unknown, the financial watchdog has warned.
