Elizabeth Line trains will run directly from Reading and Heathrow to Abbey Wood from November 6

The next stage of the Elizabeth Line is set to open on November 6, it has been revealed, allowing passengers to travel from Berkshire to east London without changing trains. 

The new station on Bond Street will also open its doors, Transport for London (TfL) confirmed, and there will finally be services operating along the whole route on Sundays. 

Currently, passengers travelling to Abbey Wood from Reading and Heathrow Airport have to change at Paddington, while those travelling from Shenfield in Essex to Paddington have to change at Liverpool Street.

From November 6, both changes will no longer be necessary, and from September 5, extended opening hours will run between Paddington and Abbey Wood from around 5.30am to around 11pm.

TfL said the integration of Elizabeth line services will ‘bring a huge range of extra benefits, including reduced journey times, additional capacity, greater accessibility, and better connectivity to jobs, opportunities, and leisure for communities across London and the South East.’ 

It added: ‘People landing at Heathrow Airport will now be able to travel straight through central London to areas such as Farringdon and Canary Wharf in as little as 36 and 45 minutes respectively on the weekend and 40 and 51 minutes respectively during the week.’

It also revealed that the frequency of services in the central section between Paddington and Whitechapel will increase from 12 trains per hour to up to 22 trains per hour in peak times and 16 trains per hour during off-peak. 

It said the final timetable, which will see 24 trains per hour during the peak between Paddington and Whitechapel, is on track to be in place by May 2023.

The next stage of the Elizabeth Line is set to open on November 6, it has been revealed, allowing passengers to travel from Berkshire to east London without changing trains. (Pictured: Passengers on board an Elizabeth Line train approaching Tottenham Court Road station on its first day of operating on May 24) 

STAGE 1: Since launching on May 24, the line has been running in three different sections - from Reading or Heathrow to Paddington; Paddington to Abbey Wood via Liverpool Street; and Liverpool Street to Shenfield. The green section is the new project

STAGE 1: Since launching on May 24, the line has been running in three different sections – from Reading or Heathrow to Paddington; Paddington to Abbey Wood via Liverpool Street; and Liverpool Street to Shenfield. The green section is the new project

STAGE 2: The second stage, from November 6, will ensure the services from Reading or Heathrow towards Paddington can run all the way through to Abbey Wood via Liverpool Street. At this stage, there will also be trains running direct from Paddington to Shenfield, also via Liverpool Street

STAGE 2: The second stage, from November 6, will ensure the services from Reading or Heathrow towards Paddington can run all the way through to Abbey Wood via Liverpool Street. At this stage, there will also be trains running direct from Paddington to Shenfield, also via Liverpool Street

STAGE 3: The final milestone will be 'no later than May 2023', when the full timetable will allow passengers to travel without changing across the entire line from Reading to Shenfield or Abbey Wood

STAGE 3: The final milestone will be ‘no later than May 2023’, when the full timetable will allow passengers to travel without changing across the entire line from Reading to Shenfield or Abbey Wood

The Crossrail route is shown on a geographical map which displays how passengers will be able to travel through London

The Crossrail route is shown on a geographical map which displays how passengers will be able to travel through London

The exterior of the new Elizabeth Line at Bond Street Station in central London, set to begin operating from November 6

The exterior of the new Elizabeth Line at Bond Street Station in central London, set to begin operating from November 6

TfL said the integration of Elizabeth line services will 'bring a huge range of extra benefits, including reduced journey times, additional capacity, greater accessibility, and better connectivity to jobs, opportunities, and leisure for communities across London and the South East' (Pictured: An escalator for the new Elizabeth Line at Bond Street Station)

TfL said the integration of Elizabeth line services will ‘bring a huge range of extra benefits, including reduced journey times, additional capacity, greater accessibility, and better connectivity to jobs, opportunities, and leisure for communities across London and the South East’ (Pictured: An escalator for the new Elizabeth Line at Bond Street Station)

One of the platforms during construction of the new Bond Street station set to service the Elizabeth Line from November 6

One of the platforms during construction of the new Bond Street station set to service the Elizabeth Line from November 6

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said today that the opening of the Elizabeth Line was a 'landmark moment for the capital' as he announced the next stage would open on November 6

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said today that the opening of the Elizabeth Line was a ‘landmark moment for the capital’ as he announced the next stage would open on November 6 

TfL revealed that from November 6 the frequency of services in the central section between Paddington and Whitechapel will increase from 12 trains per hour to up to 22 trains per hour in peak times and 16 trains per hour during off-peak. (Pictured: New Bond Street station set to open on November 6)

TfL revealed that from November 6 the frequency of services in the central section between Paddington and Whitechapel will increase from 12 trains per hour to up to 22 trains per hour in peak times and 16 trains per hour during off-peak. (Pictured: New Bond Street station set to open on November 6) 

An information board being installed at the new Bond Street station set to service the Elizabeth Line from November 6

An information board being installed at the new Bond Street station set to service the Elizabeth Line from November 6

Construction workers building a walkway for the new Bond Street station which will soon service the Elizabeth Line

Construction workers building a walkway for the new Bond Street station which will soon service the Elizabeth Line

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan poses for a selfie with passengers as they board the first Elizabeth Line train at Paddington on launch day in May

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan poses for a selfie with passengers as they board the first Elizabeth Line train at Paddington on launch day in May 

Passengers board the Elizabeth line service at Abbey Wood station in South East London this morning

Passengers board the Elizabeth line service at Abbey Wood station in South East London this morning 

Passengers take pictures and record videos on their phones as they descend the escalators at Paddington station today

Passengers take pictures and record videos on their phones as they descend the escalators at Paddington station today

Meanwhile, the Bond Street Elizabeth line station is set to open ahead of the new services on the railway. 

TfL added: ‘The step-free station will provide a new link to one of the busiest shopping directs in the UK and relieve congestion at Oxford Circus station. Two brand new ticket halls at street level, with an abundance of natural light, one at Davies Street, the other at Hanover Square – will lead passengers to the Elizabeth line platforms.’ 

Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: ‘When we delivered on our promise to open the central section of the Elizabeth line in the first half of this year, I further promised that Bond Street station would open this autumn and that the next phase of the line opening would also be achieved within that timeframe. 

‘I am excited to see the Elizabeth line unlock quicker and better journey options, greater accessibility, and further connectivity to jobs and leisure for even more people. This will be another giant leap for London’s public transport system, which supports economic growth in the capital and right across the country.’

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the opening of the new Elizabeth line has been ‘a landmark moment, not just for London but for the entire country, helping to contribute £42bn to the national economy.’

He added: ‘It’s great news that from November, Elizabeth line trains will run directly from Reading and Heathrow to Abbey Wood, and from Shenfield to Paddington, seven days a week. Services running on Sundays through central London will also make thousands more journeys quicker, easier and more comfortable.

‘This enhanced capacity on the Elizabeth line will play a crucial role in encouraging people to make the most of the capital and will help support businesses in the heart of our city.’

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said the Elizabeth Line update was ‘fantastic’, adding that the new line has already created 50,000 jobs and is poised to contribute £42billion to the economy. 

Meanwhile Ross Baker, Heathrow Chief Commercial Officer, said: ‘This is a huge step in boosting rail connections to the UK’s hub airport directly linking Canary Wharf with Heathrow by rail for the first time. This gives our passengers and colleagues more choices to travel sustainably between Heathrow and London. I am delighted Heathrow will continue to be at the heart of a growing integrated transport network and our passengers and colleagues will reap the benefits.’

The £19billion line created by the Crossrail project has boosted capacity and significantly cut journey times for travel across London.

Passengers board the Elizabeth line train to Paddington station for the first time this morning

Passengers board the Elizabeth line train to Paddington station for the first time this morning 

Transport for London previously released this map showing how the initial Crossrail services will operate until the changes on November 6

Transport for London previously released this map showing how the initial Crossrail services will operate until the changes on November 6

The new Transport for London map released last week which incorporates the Elizabeth line in its three different sections

The new Transport for London map released last week which incorporates the Elizabeth line in its three different sections

The line – which opened on May 24 this year and stretches from Reading in Berkshire and London Heathrow Airport to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in Essex – was always planned to initially run in three separate sections, which are set to be integrated in the autumn. 

The line stretches from Reading in Berkshire and Heathrow Airport in west London to Abbey Wood in south-east London and Shenfield in Essex.

Transport for London (TfL) estimates that annual passenger numbers will reach 170 million by 2026.

The new central section, built by the Crossrail project, runs through tunnels from Paddington in west London to Abbey Wood.

It is currently closed on Sundays to allow further testing and software updates to take place. Sunday services will begin on September 5. 

How Crossrail will open in three stages by May 2023

Stage 1: From May 24, 2022

The Elizabeth line launched with services on Monday to Saturday from Paddington to Abbey Wood. 

Services from Reading and Heathrow to Paddington, and from Shenfield to Liverpool Street, rebranded from ‘TfL Rail’ to the ‘Elizabeth line’. 

Stage 2: November 6, 2022 

The announced date for the next phase is November 6, 2022. When this phase launches, services from Reading and Heathrow will operate through to Abbey Wood. Services from Shenfield will go through to Paddington.

Stage 3: May 2023

Full timetable for travel from Reading or Heathrow to Shenfield or Abbey Wood without changing.

Crossrail suffered numerous issues including construction difficulties and complications installing signalling systems.

It was due to be completed in December 2018 and was set a budget of £14.8 billion in 2010.

The final total cost has been estimated at £18.9 billion, including £5.1 billion from the Government.

The line is named in honour of the Queen, who visited Paddington station in May to celebrate the completion of Crossrail.

Following its opening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the whole country will ‘reap the rewards’ of a predicted multibillion pound boost to the economy, as the new railway line transports passengers from Tuesday.

Mr Johnson said: ‘As the Elizabeth line opens to the public, we know it’s not just Londoners that will reap the rewards, but the whole country – because better transport grows the economy, levels up opportunity and creates jobs.’

The Government said the Elizabeth line project is supporting 55,000 jobs, 1,000 apprenticeships and is forecast to boost the economy by £42 billion.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 outside Farringdon station in May, Mr Khan said the Elizabeth line should be a ‘source of pride’ and something that helps the whole country.   

He said: ‘This line will help contribute £42bn to our national economy, it’s already created 70,000 jobs across the country. 

‘The trains were built in Derby, the station doors in Cheshire, the signage in the Isle of Wight. 

‘Some of the steel comes from Dorset. Almost two thirds of the contracts given for this fantastic new line were given around the country, which already created tens of thousands of jobs.’

The Labour politician said the line was first discussed in the 1940s before the idea was finally realised and construction began in 2009. 

From Cross London Rail Links to Crossrail: Timeline of Elizabeth line

London’s Crossrail project has suffered numerous setbacks over the past 20 years, including as follows:

  • January 2002: Cross London Rail Links Ltd, a joint venture between the Strategic Rail Authority and Transport for London (TfL), is set up to develop plans for Crossrail.
  • July 2004: The Government commits to introducing legislation to enable Crossrail to proceed.
  • October 2007: Prime Minister Gordon Brown gives the green light for the project. It is expected to cost £15.9 billion and open in December 2017. 
  • May 2009: London Mayor Boris Johnson and Transport Secretary Lord Adonis break ground on the project at Canary Wharf.
  • October 2010: Crossrail’s budget is cut to £14.8 billion in the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government’s comprehensive spending review. Its opening date is pushed back 12 months to December 2018.
  • January 2014: The National Audit Office says the scheme is ‘just behind schedule’, adding that Crossrail Ltd ‘remains confident’ it will open on time.
  • May 2015: Tunnel boring is completed as a tunnelling machine named Victoria arrives at Farringdon. Some 13 miles of new tunnels have been dug under London.
  • February 2016: The Queen visits Bond Street station and announces the railway will be named the Elizabeth line in her honour.
  • July 2018: Rail minister Jo Johnson announces that Crossrail’s budget has risen to £15.4 billion as ‘cost pressures have increased across the project’.
  • August 2018: Crossrail Ltd announces it will miss its December 2018 opening date but the central section ‘will open in autumn 2019’. The project is suffering from construction delays and difficulties installing complex signalling systems.
  • December 2018: TfL says Crossrail may be delayed further and could require a £2 billion funding boost, taking the cost up to £17.6 billion. The Government, TfL and London Mayor Sadiq Khan agree a financial package to cover this.
  • December 2018: Sir Terry Morgan resigns as chairman of Crossrail Ltd and HS2, days after predicting he would be sacked. He is replaced at Crossrail by London Underground managing director Mark Wild.
  • April 2019: A ‘delivery window’ between October 2020 and March 2021 is announced for the central section of Crossrail.
  • November 2019: Crossrail Ltd announces that the railway will open ‘as soon as practically possible in 2021’. The cost has increased by up to £650 million to £18.25 billion.
  • January 2020: The ‘latest assessment’ is that services will commence in summer 2021.
  • July 2020: Crossrail Ltd says the railway will not open in summer 2021 because of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It does not give an updated schedule.
  • August 2020: It is announced that the line will open in the first half of 2022.
  • July 2021: The National Audit Office says the estimated total cost of Crossrail is £18.9 billion.
  • May 17, 2022: The Queen and Prime Minister Boris Johnson visit Paddington station to celebrate the completion of Crossrail.
  • May 24, 2022 : Elizabeth line services are launched in three separate sections.
  • November 6, 2022: The three sections are due to be integrated.
  • May 2023: The full timetable of up to 24 trains per hour is scheduled to be introduced.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11137315/Elizabeth-Line-trains-run-directly-Reading-Heathrow-Abbey-Wood-November-6.html

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