TfL chief targets Christmas opening for Elizabeth line

By Dimitris Kouimtsidis 26th Aug 2021

TRANSPORT for London commissioner, Andy Byford, has reportedly set himself the goal of getting the Elizabeth line open by Christmas.

According to the Evening Standard, the TfL boss is trying to make sure the long overdue Elizabeth line can open slightly ahead of the latest estimate.

The official timeline is for Crossrail to open in the first half of 2022, but Byford has now earmarked December 24 as a possible opening date.

Trial running has begun with four trains an hour, but that needs to increase to 24 with the final integration of the software that allows trains to communicate with the signals.

However, each stage requires sign-off by the Office of Rail and Road regulator, and the nine new stations are only gradually being completed.

Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild told the London Assembly: "Trial running is vital to unlocking the pathway to passenger service."

This comes after a series of upgrade works at three Crossrail stations in Ealing Borough – Hanwell, Acton Main Line and West Ealing – were completed in recent months, while work at Ealing Broadway station is due to be finished soon.

     

New ealing Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: ealing jobs

Share:


Sign-Up for our FREE Newsletter

We want to provide ealing with more and more clickbait-free local news.
To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following.
Help us survive and sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Already subscribed? Thank you. Just press X or click here.
We won't pass your details on to anyone else.
By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy.