Key Crossrail stations potentially handed over early

It’s been revealed that some of the key Crossrail stations could be handed to Transport for London early.

A Crossrail spokesperson has confirmed to railbusinessdaily.com that a potential opportunity has been identified to start the transfer process of the London Underground interface sections – Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Whitechapel – to Transport for London.

This is ahead of the proposed Autumn handover.

It comes despite the majority of work being initially suspended from the end of March, apart from essential and business critical work, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

A Crossrail spokesperson said: “Crossrail has recently handed over the first of the central section stations, Custom House, to Transport for London (TfL). We have identified a potential opportunity to start the transfer process of the London Underground interface stations – Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Whitechapel – to TfL.

“The early transfer would mean staff can start to familiarise themselves with the station interfaces when it is safe to do so and iron out any issues in advance of the Elizabeth line opening.”

The news was revealed in TfL papers ahead of a board meeting next week.

In its update on progress to complete the Elizabeth line, it says the plan is to open the central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood in summer 2021, with the full services across the Elizabeth line route from Reading and Heathrow to Abbey Wood and Shenfield forecast to commence by mid-2022.

Photo credit: Sarnia / Shutterstock.com

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