A year after its central section was due to open, Crossrail has claimed ‘significant progress’ during 2019 but has still failed to provide a firm opening date.
Crossrail Ltd said the central section ‘remains on track to be substantially complete’ by the end of the first quarter next year with testing of the railway, which will be known as the Elizabeth line, to begin ‘at the earliest opportunity’ during 2020.
However, the complete line is only due to open ‘as soon as practically possible in 2021’.
The Crossrail station at Tottenham Court Road in Central London
Chief executive Mark Wild said: ‘The Crossrail project has made significant progress during 2019 with many of the stations now nearing completion and fit-out of the tunnels almost complete.
‘We know we have much to do to win back the trust of Londoners but all our focus is on ensuring we deliver a railway that is safe, reliable and exceptional. I hope it will give the reassurance needed that this railway is now firmly back on track and will open as soon as practically possible in 2021.’
Recent progress on the line includes the handover of completed infrastructure to Transport for London (TfL), the completion of fit-out work at many of the new stations and the completion of all physical work on the shafts and portals.
It said fit-out of the tunnels will complete by the end of the January.
However, full testing of the railway will depend on the problematic signalling and train software, which is currently underway in the central section.
TfL took over rail services between Paddington and Reading, which will eventually be part of the Elizabeth line, on 15 December.
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