Crossrail Bill

These amendments are very important. It is essential that we retain as much flexibility as possible for the future use of the tunnel. I understand that the aim is to run a metro service; I also believe that that is not being legislated for but is merely an operational choice. I suspect that that is a mistake. It is certainly important that the capability for long-distance trains to be integrated into the tunnel should be retained in the future. Of the two Crossrail schemes under way, or at least being thought about, the Glasgow Crossrail scheme, which, for example, would allow people from Gourock or Ayr to travel straight through to Edinburgh—something that has been impossible for many years—is the kind of arrangement that we should certainly be considering for the London Crossrail scheme in the future.