23.02.16
New platform opens at Abbey Wood in preparation for Crossrail
A new platform opened at Abbey Wood station yesterday as part of preparations for Crossrail’s 2018 opening.
The platform, for Southeastern services to London, is wider than the old platform with better lighting, increased canopy cover and new customer information screens.
Network Rail is redeveloping Abbey Wood station and adding two miles of track in preparation for the east-west railway in London and the south east, which will allow up to 12 extra trains an hour to take passengers directly to central London.
Matthew White, Crossrail surface director, said: “Crossrail will help to transform Abbey Wood, dramatically improving transport links, creating jobs and business opportunities and supporting wider regeneration. Work in the local area is progressing well and it’s great news that the first part of the new station has now come into use.”
The next stage of the development is building a new platform 2 for Kent-bound Southeastern services, which will open in autumn 2016.
The foundations of a new station building have also been installed.
The new station, which is due to open at the end of 2017, will also include a new, larger ticket hall, a concourse that leads directly onto a wide forecourt connecting the station to the Harrow Manorway Flyover, six lifts to all platforms and better security and customer information systems.
Last week it was announced that the Bakerloo Line at Paddington station will close from April to August to allow engineers to dig a 165m tunnel in preparation for Crossrail.
The most recent edition of RTM includes an interview with Crossrail railway systems construction manager Greg Purcell about the three-year process of building £14.8bn of railway tunnels for the line.
(Image c. Network Rail)