21.01.19
Crossrail train doors open onto tracks in fault at Stratford station
TfL has launched an investigation after footage filmed by a passenger showed the door of a new Crossrail train opening directly onto the track.
Footage posted on Twitter by Johnny Beverton at Stratford station showed a door opening on the wrong side of the carriage onto the rail tracks rather than the platform, leaving passengers unable to exit or board the train.
Once the platform-side door failed to open, Beverton said passengers were left “staring in disbelief” when they were able to open the other door, adding that it took five minutes before the correct doors opened and another seven or eight for the train to be put out of service.
TfL has confirmed it has launched an urgent probe into the error, which occurred on a train which will serve on the new Elizabeth Line once the project is completed.
Crossrail has been involved in several controversies during its development, having been hit by several major delays and spiralling costs – although dynamic testing restarted on the line last week.
Earlier this month it was reported by Crossrail’s chief executive Mark Wild that there were “thousands of hours of construction still to be done,” and an on-going dispute between Sir Terry Morgan, who resigned from the top job at the project last month, and London mayor Sadiq Khan continues over the delays.
As reported by the Evening Standard, Beverton said: “We did a double take in a moment of confusion when we saw the green light on the other side of the train.
“No one was near the door, so we walked over and pressed the bottom and it opened.
“I wouldn’t have opened it if there was anyone in harm’s way but I just wanted to see if it would actually open.
“It felt like five minutes before the doors opened up... everyone was just staring in disbelief.
“It took another seven or eight minutes for them to say the train was out of service.”