The Latest Breaking News from Paddington

Even for the ever-changing capital, the new link is a great leap forward, says Simon Calder

Happy Elizabeth line opening day to all those who observe. That very much includes the Standard, which has gone Crossrail crazy. Thoughnot as much Vernon Kerswell, 33, one of several people who queued outside Paddington station from midnight to catch the 06.33 to Abbey Wood.

The £18.9 billion Crossrail line has finally opened

Around 600 passengers came from all across the country to be on the first Eizabeth line train westbound

There was a huge rush to board the first trains as Mayor Sadiq Khan showed a massive sigh of relief

Some were surprised to see the part-overground line on the iconic Underground map

The station was evacuated shortly after 8.30am, just two hours after the opening of the new TfL service

The Elizabeth line platforms at Paddington station were evacuated for a “fire alert” just hours after its grand opening on Tuesday morning.

‘We should be incredibly proud of this fantastic new line. It is genuinely 22nd-century fit: spacious, speedy, silent, comfortable’ – Sadiq Khan

Crossrail project opens 41 months after original launch date

The Queen visited Paddington station last week to celebrate the completion of Crossrail