New year, new resolutions – but no new railway. As reported last month a 2020 opening of the Elizabeth Line has been ruled out. In theory that leaves three months left of the six-month October 2020 – March 2021 opening window previously given by Crossrail Ltd Chief Executive Mark Wild. But with an update on when the line will open expected early in the New Year, that window may be broken. In a letter to Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee Florence Eshalomi, Mr Wild wrote: ‘The Elizabeth Line will open as soon as practically possible in 2021’
FIVE BEFORE THREE
Passengers did at least see 2019 close with one step forward to realising the full Crossrail vision. The biannual national rail timetable change on 15 December saw Crossrail operator MTR take over from Great Western Railway the running of most stopping services between Paddington high level and Reading under the interim TfL Rail brand. A soft launch saw the first Class 345 services at Reading on 25 November, with MTR assuming full responsibility for the route with the timetable change.
This stage 5A launch (stage 3 will be the opening of the Elizabeth Line core tunnels) also saw Reading, Maidenhead and stations en-route added to the …
