Elizabeth line to open in summer 2021, Crossrail chief says

That was two and a half years later than the original deadline of late 2018, and a further six months beyond the revised opening window set by Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild last year.

It was, however, earlier than the autumn 2021 opening suggested by London transport commissioner Mike Brown this week, which he revealed by citing “planning assumptions”, according to the Guardian.

Crossrail said its new forecast was based on progress that had been made with its signalling and train system software, which was the source of much of the delays, adding that intensive testing of train services through the new tunnels under central London would begin later in 2020.

Mark Wild also said Bond Street station could be open with the rest of the route after all, after it was suggested that delays at the West End site could see it unfinished at the time of Crossrail’s opening.

“We continue to make good progress with the central section now reaching substantial completion and we are increasingly confident that Bond Street station will be ready to open with the rest of the railway,” Wild said.

“Our latest assessment is that Elizabeth line services through central London will commence in summer 2021 - but we are aiming to open the railway as soon as we can.

“The key focus for everyone on the Crossrail project is commencing intensive testing of the Elizabeth line as soon as we can in 2020, to enable passenger service as early as possible in 2021.”

Crossrail services, which will be branded as the ‘Elizabeth line’ on opening, will run between Paddington and Abbey Wood on opening.

They will then be linked up to services to Heathrow and Reading in the west and Shenfield in the east, which have been taken over by Transport for London, to create the full Crossrail east-west service in 2022.