Crossrail links Thames Valley to heart of London

It's been a 20 year battle but, today, the Government confirmed that Crossrail will come to Reading. It means passengers can travel into the heart of London - through a tunnel - without having to change trains.

The £15 billion pound project - which began in 2009 - was to start at Maidenhead to keep costs down but will now be extended. It means Crossrail will begin at Reading - with stops at places like Twyford and Maidenhead.

It will go into a tunnel at Paddington - on to Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street and the east of London. There'll be four more trains, each hour, and 6,000 extra seats. It will be ready in 2019.

The news will be a huge boost to towns and villages along the route - house prices are expected to rocket. More on that in a moment - and the view from Westminster. Our report is from our Transport Correspondent, Mike Pearse.