Crossrail on target with central section testing this year

The Crossrail programme is approaching 85% completion, according to Rail Minister Paul Maynard.

In the Government’s annual update into the £14.8 billion project, Maynard said that in the central tunnel section all platforms have been completed, track installation is more than 90% complete, power and ventilation installation has reached 70% and 30% complete respectively, and installation of platform edge doors has started at Bond Street and London Paddington.

Testing of the central section infrastructure will begin before the end of the year, with the new central section stations completed next year.

Maynard said that the delayed introduction of the first Class 345 Aventras on the Liverpool Street to Shenfield route was the first stage of the five-stage Crossrail opening strategy.

Stage 2 will be the start of trains between Heathrow Terminals 2, 3 and 4 and London Paddington high level station, due in May 2018. Installation of new digital signalling in the Heathrow Tunnels was completed in April, and testing and commissioning of the new system is under way, with a train to be used later this year.

A stabling facility at Ilford depot was completed in May to support the introduction of the new Class 345 Aventras, while further work continues to support Stage 4 (Paddington to Shenfield) - this is expected to be complete in May 2019.

Meanwhile, work continues at Old Oak Common to support Stage 2 (Paddington to Heathrow Airport) and Stage 3 (Paddington to Abbey Wood).

Maynard expects 11 Class 345s to be in traffic by the autumn, enabling the replacement of more than half of the 44 four-car Class 315 electric multiple units that are currently in use.

Training of the new operations workforce is well under way, with drivers training on the new trains and route. Around 700 apprentices have also gained experience on the project.

Crossrail’s purpose-built training facility, the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy, has become part of Transport for London and will continue to be used for apprenticeships and training for rail and tunnelling projects.

Finally, Maynard confirmed that the cost of Crossrail will be within the £14.8bn funding envelope, excluding rolling stock costs.

CROSSRAIL. New overhead line electrification gantry has been installed at Victoria Dock Portal as part of the Crossrail project. Rail Minister Paul Maynard, in an annual update on the £14.8 billion scheme, said the project was almost 85% complete.