Massive cost increases and lengthy delays to the Crossrail project were caused by the chosen contractual model, a compressed schedule and the absence of a realistic plan for completion, according to the National Audit Office (NAO).
The NAO’s Completing Crossrail report, published on May 3, found that Crossrail Ltd was not in possession of a sufficiently detailed delivery plan until late 2018, by which time it was already clear the project would be severely delayed and well over budget.
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Harlington, but are expected to serve Reading from December 2019. Here, No. 345007 passes Royal
Oak on the approach to Paddington on May 7. Photo: Chris Milner.
Design changes and delays, requiring contractors to be on sites longer than expected, added around £2.5billion to costs between 2013 and 2018.
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