Housing prices are likely to be pushed upwards by the new Crossrail development planned for London, it has been suggested.

Hartley Beames, an associate for Knight Frank residential development, said that the new train route stretching between Maidenhead and Shenfield will have a "positive impact on the housing market".

"By linking west to east with new stops along the way it will produce a number of new ''hot spots'' where property prices are likely to increase over and above the market in general," he said.

Mr Beames argued that areas which once had poor transport links would be changed and become "more desirable which in turn is likely to have a positive effect on residential property values".

The firm highlighted Abbey Wood and Stratford in east London and west Drayton, Hayes, Southall and Hanwell in the west as the areas most likely to benefit from the Crossrail project.

Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London, said after the announcement was made that Crossrail would also help "open up the areas of new housing development in the Thames Gateway".