PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has kicked-off construction on a new �16billion rail route that will transform Paddington. Mr Brown joined rail minister Lord Adonis and London Mayor Boris Johnson at Canary Wharf in London Docklands this morning, to mark the

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has kicked-off construction on a new �16billion rail route that will transform Paddington.

Mr Brown joined rail minister Lord Adonis and London Mayor Boris Johnson at Canary Wharf in London Docklands this morning, to mark the beginning of construction of Crossrail.

The project will be the largest addition to London's transport network for more than 50 years and will run from Maidenhead to Shenfield passing through Heathrow, Paddington, Bond Street, Farringdon and Canary Wharf.

It will link east and west London and will improve links to the London Underground network and mainline railway stations as well as relieving congestion.

At the first foundations were laid, Mr Brown said: "Many people said it would never be built, but today we are celebrating a defining moment for London as Crossrail's construction gets underway.

"Crossrail will not only mean faster journey times across the capital and beyond, it will also bring a massive economic boost to the city, creating thousands of jobs and adding at least �20 billion to our economy.