Crossrail

Crossrail updates passengers on Elizabeth Line construction progress

Pictures released by Crossrail have shown strong progress being made on the construction process for the Elizabeth Line above ground.

Services have now started running on the line from Shenfield in East London to Liverpool Street, but construction is ongoing on the rest of the network towards the west of London to Reading and Heathrow.

The roll out of the Bombardier-built rolling stock on the line started in June, giving passengers new, modern carriages to enjoy on the line.

The route will pass through 40 stations, passing through new twin bore 21km tunnels, creating a new west-east rail link in the south when it fully opens in December 2018.

Simon Wright, Crossrail programme director, said: “Since construction began in 2009, much of the work for the Elizabeth Line has mostly taken place below ground.

“The new stations and structures can now be seen rising upwards giving passengers a glimpse of their new railway that will open on time in December 2018.”

The images show progress being made on a number of different sections of the Elizabeth Line. At Paddington, work has begun on the 120-metre-long glazed canopy that will let natural light reach the platforms 30m below.

On Tottenham Court Road, brick and stone finishes are being installed on the two separate buildings that have been built above the station on Dean Street.

The modern architecture at Tottenham Court Road

At Durward Street head house, the bell-wave pattern on the cladding of the ventilation shaft reflects the historic Whitechapel bell foundries. And Victoria Dock Portal head house is moving forward with its colourful architectural finish on the top of the ventilation and emergency access shaft near Custom House station.

Durward Street shaft head house at Whitechapel station

The size, colour and material of the brickwork that clads the station and ventilation buildings at Woolwich is also progressing. And Abbey Wood has also seen the new timber and glass entrance of the nearly-complete station delivered by Network Rail.

Brickwork outside Woolwich station

Construction of the curved timber roof at Abbey Wood

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