Crossrail: National Audit Office to investigate delay and rising costs Published duration 23 November 2018

image copyright Getty Images image caption The National Audit Office (NAO) probe is planned for early 2019

The delay to Crossrail's opening and the project's ballooning costs will be investigated by the spending watchdog.

A National Audit Office (NAO) probe is now planned for early 2019.

The project's joint sponsors, Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport (DfT), said they would assist the NAO's investigation.

The NAO will examine the "causes of the cost increases and schedule delays, the terms of the additional funding, and the governance and oversight of the programme", according to a statement on its website

Europe's biggest infrastructure project aims to help ease London's congestion by connecting sites such as Heathrow Airport and the Canary Wharf business district.

The route, to be known as the Elizabeth Line, was due to open in December, but will now be launched in autumn 2019 to allow more time for testing.

image copyright Reuters image caption The DfT and TfL have also commissioned independent reviews into Crossrail Ltd's governance and financing

The government announced in July that Crossrail's overall funding had increased to £15.4bn, and the DfT later agreed to make £350m of short-term finance available.

The NAO added: "We will also examine the steps being taken by Crossrail Ltd, TfL, and the department to minimise the impact of the cost increases and delays."

A DfT spokesperson said: "We welcome the NAO investigation and stand ready to assist."

The DfT and TfL have also commissioned independent reviews into Crossrail Ltd's governance and financing. which are being carried out by auditors KPMG.