Crossrail confirms Astoria compulsory purchase date
- Published: 06 August 2008 10:06
- Author: Ed Owen
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- Last Updated: 06 August 2008 14:58
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Crossrail this week confirmed that Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) will be issued for works at Tottenham Court Road in mid-October.
The announcement confirms the demise of the Astoria theatre, which has hosted the top names in music over its history.
Preliminary works to divert utilities at Tottenham Court Road have already started. Following the submission of CPOs, posessions will begin in the New Year.
In addition to the Crossrail station, London Underground will be renovating the existing station and building a new entrance.
According to a Crossrail spokesman, "Other preliminary works across the route will commence in 2009 with main construction starting in 2010.
"This is due to the huge amount of activity we are required to undertake on Crossrail, as with any major project, in order to get it from outline approval to the stage that main construction works can actually start.
"This includes detailed design work, obtaining approval of planning details, mobilising land acquisition, negotiating agreements, developing the contracting strategy and strengthening project governance.
"As we move closer to contracts being let, we shall keep the precise timetable for delivery of the project and its different elements under review," he said.
A Transport for London spokesperson said: "By 2017, Tottenham Court Road station will be one of the important stations in the West End serving both London Underground and Crossrail. Starting next year, Tottenham Court Road will be extensively redeveloped to create an expanded Tube ticket hall approximately six times larger than at present and a station with double the current capacity.
"To facilitate major redevelopment of the station, up to 13 properties will need to be compulsory purchased and could be demolished. The affected properties were detailed in the Crossrail Bill four years ago and all those with an interest in the properties advised.
"Compulsory Purchase Notices are due to be issued in October and would take effect from January 2009 when possession of affected properties will transfer to the Secretary of State."
