Crossrail targets summer 2021 for central section
CROSSRAIL plans to open the central section of the new crossLondon line, between Paddington and Abbey Wood, in summer 2021.
This means that this part of the project will be around 18 months late. The latest plan is based on current progress regarding the completion of software development for the signalling and train systems, as well as safety assurances for the railway that will allow operation testing to begin this year.
Once the central section is complete, full services from Reading and Heathrow Airport to Abbey Wood and Shenfield will begin in mid-2022. They should have started running in December 2019.
“I know that Londoners are deeply frustrated by the delays to the Elizabeth Line and we are doing everything we can to get this railway finished and open,” said Crossrail Ltd Chief Executive Mark Wild.
“We continue to make good progress, with the central section now reaching substantial completion and we are increasingly confident that Bond Street station will be ready to open with the rest of the railway.”
It’s expected that the project will still be delivered within the additional funding range announced in November 2019, which means a further £400 million to £600 million is needed.
The trial running is likely to start in the autumn, when a full timetable will be replicated. Class 345s have been running through the tunnels already on four days a week, but only four trains.
Initially, when the central section opens, the trains will operate:
■ London Paddington (low-level) to Abbey Wood.
■ London Liverpool Street to Shenfield.
■ London Paddington (main line station) to Heathrow Airport/ Reading.
TfL Rail trains are currently running between Liverpool Street and Shenfield, and between
Paddington and Reading (which started on December 15 last year). As this issue of RAIL went to press, no Class 345 had carried passengers to Heathrow, with
TfL Rail forced to continue using Class 360/2s on that route.