Crossrail has announced that it is to miss its December 2018 opening date, and will be pushing the launch of what will be the Elizabeth line back to sometime in autumn 2019.
The delay had been expected following a series of problems with mechanical fit-out and testing of the new infrastructure. Problems with an exploding power supply at Pudding Lane, signalling in the Heathrow tunnels, and reports of delays at Bond Street and Whitechapel stations lead to expectations that some delays would happen.
To push the launch back to autumn 2019 is a much bigger delay than had been expected though.
The company said that the revised schedule is needed to complete the final infrastructure and testing required for the Elizabeth line to open.
The original programme for testing was compressed by more time being needed by contractors to complete fit-out activity in the central tunnels and the development of railway systems software.
Crossrail said that testing has started but further time is required to complete the full range of integrated tests.
There had also been unrelated delays with the refit of Network Rail stations along the western end of the line, leading to those being delayed until 2019.
The focus remains on opening the full Elizabeth line, from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, as soon after the central tunnels open as possible.
Simon Wright, Crossrail Chief Executive said: “The Elizabeth line is one of the most complex and challenging infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK and is now in its final stages. We have made huge progress with the delivery of this incredible project but we need further time to complete the testing of the new railway. We are working around the clock with our supply chain and Transport for London to complete and commission the Elizabeth line.”
When the central section of the Elizabeth line opens in autumn 2019, the railway will initially operate as three separate services as planned:
- Paddington (Elizabeth line station) to Abbey Wood via central London
- Paddington (mainline station) to Heathrow (Terminals 2, 3 and 4)
- Liverpool Street (mainline station) to Shenfield
Elizabeth line map – Autumn 2019
Will the full integrated service follow 3 months later as originally planned or has that slipped 9 months too?
It has been so long since the Abercrombie plan that another nine months is insignificant.
This is creates a huge financial problem for Tfl as they would have been reliant on this year’s opening to offset the idiotic removal of its subsidy. Its hard not to see further reductions in bus services and a fare rise as a result
How ironic that on the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the first stage of the Victoria Line from Walthamstow Central to Highbury and Islington we have this announcement totally out of the blue about Crossrail.
However, perhaps Crossrail could follow the example of the Victoria Line and open its totally independent central section from Abbey Wood Station to Paddington Station in stages ?
Perhaps Abbey Wood to Canary Wharf as stage 1 then extend westwards depending on where turnback facilities are available. Any station not completed would be skipped until ready.
This delay also raises serious issues for example step free access for Bakerloo Line at Paddington is dependent on using the Crossrail Station lifts so could this be opened ahead of Crossrail?
Serious questions arise about how this has been sneaked out just after a bank holiday when Parliament is not sitting and who knew what and when especially Chris Grayling and Sadiq Khan and Crossrail managers?
Anyone passing through Whitechapel Underground Station which was supposed to have been completed can see how much work remains and is this a byproduct of Brexit leading to Labour shortage as workers from eu return home are not being replaced as they no longer see the UK as a viable workplace!
I was so excited that the Elizabeth Line was to open in December this year but its not going to happen this year. And will open in stages next year. May 2019 will see the Abbey Wood-Heathrow Airport service to commence. With December 2019 for all services including Shenfield to Heathrow Airport and Reading to start from late next year. As 70 Class 345 trains are built with some already in service on the Liverpool St-Shenfield, Liverpool St-Gidea Park and Paddington-Hayes & Harlington.