Crossrail 2 is a proposed new underground railway line to be built between Wimbledon and New Southgate / Tottenham Hale via Central London (Victoria and Euston), with the potential to connect to the national rail network.
Safeguarding is a planning process that enables the Government to issue Directions to local planning authorities to protect land needed for long term infrastructure projects from developments that would prevent them being built or make them more expensive. This is increasingly needed as cities are redeveloped with bigger buildings that have deeper foundations. Safeguarding does not necessarily prevent developments taking place: it ensures that when they take place the design can accommodate the addition of railway infrastructure.
Parts of the proposed Crossrail 2 route have been subject to safeguarding since 1991. The Mayor for London has reviewed the existing safeguarding Directions following changes in forecasted transport demand, and has concluded that some changes need to be made to the existing Directions. TfL has carried out a number of planning and design studies which have led to a proposed new Direction to safeguard the route alignment. The Crossrail 2 Direction would replace the existing Chelsea - Hackney line safeguarding Directions. The Secretary of State for Transport is committed to review this safeguarding Direction by 2021.