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Vital Crossrail works delivered over Christmas

The second ramp of the vast Stockley Flyover has now opened after Network Rail carried out its biggest programme of Crossrail engineering ever over Christmas.

The works led to two new major structures entering service: the second ramp of the flyover at Heathrow junction, as well as a new diveunder at Acton.

The Christmas works, which cost £45m and involved over 4,000 workers, also included opening the bay platform at Hayes & Harlington, which will allow Great Western Railway (GWR) to bring in even more new electric trains; installing 11 new points at Maidenhead and working to electrify the track; platform extensions at West Ealing, Southall and Hayes & Harlington; and installing a new platform and track and sidings remodelling at Shenfield station.

Matthew Steele, Crossrail programme director at Network Rail, said: “Successful completion of these Christmas works was vital to delivering the Elizabeth line.

“As part of our Railway Upgrade Plan they will benefit passengers by improving reliability, increasing the capacity of the rail network and enabling the introduction of new rolling stock.”

The Stockley Flyover and Acton diveunder will also be used by GWR and Heathrow Express trains, and the other changes will allow GWR to run longer and electric trains.

Last September, the first of GWR’s Class 387 Electrostars entered into general service between Hayes & Harlington and London Paddington. The trains will eventually be introduced across the busy Thames Valley route, replacing the current Turbos, which will redeployed on other GWR routes.

GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said: “The Thames Valley is one of the most popular rail corridors in the UK. We have promised the current fleet would be upgraded to provide much needed additional capacity and faster journey times.

“We started to run our first new electric trains in September and with this Christmas work completed, on time, I am delighted to say that we can now deliver even more of those improvements – with a half hourly services between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington.”

Matthew White, surface director at Crossrail, added that the Elizabeth line will provide a step change in public transport for many thousands of people in outer London, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Essex – new trains, quicker journeys and better stations.

“The programme of work delivered by Network Rail over Christmas will provide immediate benefits for passengers as well as helping to prepare for the arrival of the new Elizabeth line services,” he added.

(Images c. Crossrail)

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