The Elizabeth line is on track to open in the first half of this year as its Trial Operations enter the next phase.

Passenger services will start in the first half of 2022 with initial services between Abbey Wood and Paddington Elizabeth line stations.

The line will eventually be passing through Southall, Hanwell, West Ealing, Ealing Broadway and Acton Main Line stations - connecting Ealing by fast service to Reading, Heathrow, central, south-east and north-east London.

When it opens, the line will initially operate as three separate railways and customers from the west will need to change at Paddington for services into the central section of the route, and customers from the east will initially need to change at Liverpool Street.

Despite an initial goal to open by last December, TfL said significant progress was made towards completing the new railway over Christmas.

Apparently the latest plans should ensure that Elizabeth line services from Reading, Heathrow and Shenfield can connect with the central tunnels from autumn 2022.

Trial Operations at stations

TfL have warned there will be times during the Trial Operations phase where police, fire and ambulance service vehicles may be seen near stations, testing and simulating what would happen in the event their staff were required to attend.

In the run up to opening the Elizabeth line, activity will be taking place on most days including weekends.

The upcoming Trial Operations phase will involve a range of organisations, including TfL and London Underground, MTR Elizabeth line (as the operator), and Network Rail collaborating on the response to trial scenarios along with thousands of volunteers.

Emergency services including the British Transport Police, London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service will also be involved, demonstrating how they would respond to incidents on the network and in stations.

Other exercises will include responding to train, signalling, platform screen door and track simulations.