18.01.19
Crossrail restarts dynamic testing on Elizabeth Line after series of delays
Crossrail has begun operating test trains on the Elizabeth Line, restarting a crucial part of testing after months of setbacks and delays.
Two test trains will operate on the line during the first week of the main dynamic testing phase which Crossrail called an “important step” in the progress of the flagship project.
Testing will take place in both the eastbound and westbound tunnels, with one train operating between Pudding Mill Lane and Paddington and Westbourne Park and other between Abbey Wood and Canary Wharf.
Once the main dynamic testing phase is complete, the organisation said the programme will then move into the trial running phase followed by the trial operations phase.
As reported by CityAM, Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild said: “The main dynamic testing phase has commenced and is an important step forward for the Crossrail project.
“Over the next six months we will be testing all the railway’s systems to ensure they are safe and reliable and to identify any faults or software bugs in the very complex systems that are needed to operate the railway.
“Everyone involved in the project is fully focused on ensuring the Elizabeth Line is completed as quickly as possible and brought into service for passengers.”
The Crossrail project has been plagued with delays and spiralling costs and was originally due to open last month.
Dynamic testing was due to start in November 2017, but an explosion at Pudding Mill Lane pushed the programme back to February 2018.
Since then Crossrail’s launch date has been put back nine months to allow for final infrastructure and extensive testing, and the date was pushed back again in December alongside a £1.4bn bailout for the project.
Sir Terry Morgan resigned from his role as chief executive, and has since been involved in a bitter dispute with London mayor Sadiq Khan and recently claimed that TfL altered his reports on the progress of Crossrail.
At a London Transport Committee meeting it was revealed that “thousands of hours of construction work still to be done” and last week the Railway Industry Association urged policymakers to not allow the extra costs to postpone Crossrail 2.