On Nov 25, 9:42*pm, "Jonathan Morton"
wrote:


Isn't that traditionally one of the arguments for a programme of public
works in recessionary times - that you can get good value for money?

Regards

Jonathan

Yes, also land values are lower if you need to buy it for the
project.

Patrick

(Theo) wrote:

Bruce wrote:



I believe the original estimates will have included an "optimism bias"
mark up


True, and the original cost estimates were made at a time when
construction prices were not only at a record high, but projected to
continue rising at a rapid rate.

The recession hit construction very hard and there is no sign of any
recovery. On the contrary, forward order books are at a very low
level. So prices have dropped considerably.


Is it fair to think that most building works for the Olympic Games are
finished now ?


Yes, that was one of the major causes of the price inflation. Material
costs such as structural steel and steel reinforcement for concrete
also rose due to demand from China and the Far East.


I do hope quantities are calculated right....


I think so, because Crossrail has enough capable people working on the
project.

D1039 wrote:

On Nov 25, 9:42*pm, "Jonathan Morton"
wrote:


Isn't that traditionally one of the arguments for a programme of public
works in recessionary times - that you can get good value for money?

Regards

Jonathan

Yes, also land values are lower if you need to buy it for the
project.


Already purchased, unfortunately. So no savings there.

On Nov 25, 9:42*pm, "Jonathan Morton"
wrote:
"Bruce" wrote in message

...



True, and the original cost estimates were made at a time when
construction prices were not only at a record high, but projected to
continue rising at a rapid rate.

The recession hit construction very hard and there is no sign of any
recovery. *On the contrary, forward order books are at a very low
level. *So prices have dropped considerably.

I gather from someone I know at Crossrail that the overall estimated
cost for the project has now dropped by around **£2 billion** from the
original estimates. *I think that means we are now looking at an
outturn cost of around £14.7 billion at 2009 prices.

Isn't that traditionally one of the arguments for a programme of public
works in recessionary times - that you can get good value for money?

Yes, but to do this well, government needs to be frugal during the
good years.

"77002" wrote in message
...

I gather from someone I know at Crossrail that the overall estimated
cost for the project has now dropped by around **£2 billion** from the
original estimates. I think that means we are now looking at an
outturn cost of around £14.7 billion at 2009 prices.

Isn't that traditionally one of the arguments for a programme of public
works in recessionary times - that you can get good value for money?

Yes, but to do this well, government needs to be frugal during the
good years.

Ah, I'm on the verge of spotting the flaw...

The Teuchters will get their new ferry yet, just see!

--
Didn't realise they were in the market for one.

What they are in the market for is a major electrification project
over the next 5 years, with another one behind that.

Funded from the pittances that they get from the UK government.

They are also building a new Forth Crossing bridge too.

Compared to CrossRail the guys in Edinburgh are getting on with the
job. Not just talking about it 10 years later.

"Big Jack" wrote in message
...

Compared to CrossRail the guys in Edinburgh are getting on with the
job. Not just talking about it 10 years later.

Are you suggesting Crossrail has not yet started?

Paul S

On 27/11/2011 12:52, Paul Scott wrote:
"Big Jack" wrote in message
...

Compared to CrossRail the guys in Edinburgh are getting on with the
job. Not just talking about it 10 years later.

Are you suggesting Crossrail has not yet started?


How's the Edinburgh tram coming on?

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read, substitute trains for rail.
Railway Miscellany at www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail

In message , at 12:52:59 on
Sun, 27 Nov 2011, Paul Scott remarked:

Compared to CrossRail the guys in Edinburgh are getting on with the
job. Not just talking about it 10 years later.

Are you suggesting Crossrail has not yet started?

There are some big holes in the ground near Tottenham Ct Road. Maybe
it's someone building a new facility for the S******* R******, and not
what it seems at all? They do say that hiding things in plain sight is
often a useful strategy.
--
Roland Perry

"Roland Perry" wrote in message

In message , at 12:52:59 on
Sun, 27 Nov 2011, Paul Scott
remarked:
Compared to CrossRail the guys in Edinburgh are getting on with the
job. Not just talking about it 10 years later.

Are you suggesting Crossrail has not yet started?

There are some big holes in the ground near Tottenham Ct Road. Maybe
it's someone building a new facility for the S******* R******, and not
what it seems at all? They do say that hiding things in plain sight is
often a useful strategy.

Work is also underway at the portals, and Farringdon has become a rather
large buiilding site. I know that some of these projects are also to do
with related projects to enlarge ticket halls, etc, but those probably
wouldn't have started without Crossrail.