Crossrail date for Twyford announced

TRANSPORT for London has announced that the Elizabeth Line will open on Tuesday, May 24.

The service, previously branded Crossrail, will open for its first phase of operation after more than a decade of construction.

The line will see the TfL rail services between Reading and Heathrow to Paddington overhauled with brand new trains and stations, and improved frequency and journey times.

While the new trains will not feature toilets, they will be faster and more spacious, and contactless payment will be accepted across the new line.

Elizabeth Line signage will be unveiled across the network in the run up to its opening, and updated tube and rail maps will be released later in the year.

Initially, the service will operate as three separate railways, meaning those travelling from Reading will need to change at Paddington. Work to join the services will begin in autumn.

Transport for London is hoping to lead commuters away from driving, and estimates it will add £42 billion to the UK economy.

Andy Byford, Transport for London’s commissioner, said: “I am delighted that we can now announce a date for the opening of the Elizabeth line in May.

“The opening day is set to be a truly historic moment for the capital and the UK, and we look forward to showcasing a simply stunning addition to our network.”

The service will operate 12 trains an hour on parts of the line from 6.30am11pm, Mondays to Saturdays.

Trains between Reading and London will continue to run on Sundays, despite much of the line closing for maintenance works.

The Elizabeth line is the realisation of a number of similar plans which have been proposed since the Second World War.

The first full scheme mwas submitted to Parliament in 1991, with follow-ups in 2001 and 2005.