1) Crossrail cost billions
2) Income tax payers in the UK had to pay for that
3) Income tax payers have had enough and don't want to pay for infrastructure that benefits others
Those who benefitted the most? The land owners in London who have made billions
If the price increases -- the portion solely due to crossrail -- was taxed at 42% like income, then there would be far more money available for useful projects (like crossrail)
Therefore the OPs hope ("I hope we see a lot more of these large scale projects") would be answered
That said I can see the argument for a property improvement tax but it would be messy to figure out - London projects effect huge swathes of property in differing ways.
Secondary benefits will also fall on riders of other lines and street transportation that become less congested by riders diverted to the new Crossrail route.
Had enough? What does that mean exactly?
The people who will benefit from crossrail the most are the main income tax payers who go to work every day on the tube. Salaries in London are 2-3x higher than outside and income tax gets disproportionately higher the more you earn.
Can you imagine if the tube was never built because it would benefit rich landowners in London more than other people?
That no longer happens.
Not 42%, but most properties will attract capital gains tax when sold.