Opening date for central section of Crossrail revealed

An opening date for the first phase of the long-awaited Crossrail scheme has been revealed.

The multi-million pound project has faced significant delays and was originally scheduled to open in 2018.

But Transport for London (TfL) has now announced the central section of the new Elizabeth line, from London Paddington to Abbey Wood in South East London, will open on May 24.

Passengers travelling from Maidenhead and Slough are still expected to have to wait until autumn this year for services which run directly into central London.

OPENING SOON: Some exciting news about the opening of the #Elizabethline. London’s newest railway will open on Tuesday 24 May 2022. pic.twitter.com/xO5S3Ciwck

— Crossrail Project (@Crossrail) May 4, 2022

The major infrastructure project is expected to be completed no later than May 2023.

Andy Byford, commissioner for Transport for London, said Crossrail will provide a ‘transformative service’ for Londoners for decades to come.