The long-awaited £10bn Crossrail project, which will link Shenfield directly with West London, has been given the go-ahead by the Government.
Transport secretary Alistair Darling announced on Tuesday that a Crossrail bill will be introduced into Parliament.
Supporters of the scheme and business leaders welcomed the news, saying it will bring huge benefits to rail users in Essex.
Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles said: "It is very good news for Brentwood and for the county, and it is probably very good news for the future of public transport."
The Crossrail project will be funded by both the Government and the private sector. There are two proposed lines which will link East London, Essex and Kent with West London. One of these will link Shenfield and Romford in the east with Richmond, Ealing and Heathrow in the west.
Mr Pickles said it would be 'fantastic' o have direct access to Heathrow, and it would help to ease road congestion.
The trains will travel through new tunnels beneath central London, and new stations will be built at Liverpool Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Bond Street and Paddington.
If all goes to plan, the scheme should be completed by around 2013 at the earliest.
Published Friday July 23, 2004
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