The Elizabeth Line is “tangibly close” to completion with work on Crossrail running “dead on time”, according to London’s transport chief.
Speaking at a TfL board meeting on Wednesday morning, TfL commissioner Andy Byford said he was “delighted with the progress we’re making” on the Elizabeth Line and revealed that “it really is that close” to being finished.
The £18.9 billion project entered the first phase of “dress rehearsal” operations in November, with a second trial phase beginning at the end of last month which will see thousands of staff and volunteers take part in up to 150 scenario exercises such as evacuation events.
Last week, Canary Wharf became the latest Elizabeth Line station to be handed over to TfL from Crossrail after work was completed, leaving just Bond Street to be transferred to TfL.
Speaking on Wednesday, Andy Byford said: “We’re taking action on Bond Street to put all our focus on it, albeit it will open after the rest of the central core, which I can confirm again for the public remains on course for the first half of 2022. That commitment has not wavered, will not waver, we will open Crossrail in the first half of 2022.”
Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild told the TfL board on Wednesday that the project had a “very successful festive period” and that “we exited Christmas with pretty much the railway very near to the configuration – not quite- but very near the configuration to accept customers”.
Mr Wild added that, with the exception of Bond Street, Elizabeth Line stations are “now ready for revenue service”.
Though it has been confirmed that the Elizabeth Line will open in the first half of 2022, no exact date has been set.
TfL documents last week revealed that, by its own estimation, there is a 50 per cent chance of the line opening in May and an 80 per cent chance it will be open by the end of June.
Andy Byford has said that launch of Crossrail must be “flawless” and that TfL must ensure services can run reliably from the start.
