Crossrail Update
DAN HARVEY reports on problems with the project identified in a report from the NAO
The Elizabeth Line will open between October 2020 and March 2021, according to a new schedule announced by Crossrail Ltd. With many risks and uncertainties remaining in the development and testing of Elizabeth Line train and signalling systems, Crossrail has identified a six-month delivery window with a midpoint at the end of 2020. This means London Mayoral elections will take place in May 2020 with Crossrail incomplete and Queen Elizabeth is due to be at least 94 before the railway bearing her name opens.
The new delivery plan has been agreed by the Crossrail Ltd board after the December 2018 scheduled opening proved unrealistic, leading to the replacement of Crossrail’s top team and a thorough review of the programme by new Chief Executive Mark Wild.
