Thursday 22 March 2018 4:21 pm

Elizabeth Line latest: Crossrail reveals images of new London stations ahead of December launch

Construction of the Elizabeth Line has now entered the final stages, with work underway to wrap up the stations and tunnels ahead of the December launch.

Now new images by Crossrail Ltd show the progress made so far ahead of handing over the completed infrastructure to Transport for London (TfL) this summer. TfL will lead the railway’s testing and commissioning phase ahead of the opening of the Elizabeth Line at the end of the year.

Andrew Wolstenholme, who is stepping down as chief executive of Crossrail, said: "This fantastic set of new images shows the huge amount that has been achieved, and gives passengers a glimpse of their new railway ahead of its opening at the end of the year.”

Here's the latest look at the progress on the Elizabeth Line:

(Click or tap on the images to see them in full screen)

Earlier this month, Morning Wire reported that Crossrail Ltd has drawn up a revised delivery schedule for the £14.8bn project after facing rising cost and schedule pressures, and disruption from this month's severe weather troubles.

The rejigged plans have been developed as part of efforts to ensure the Elizabeth Line opens on time in December. TfL commissioner Mike Brown said the revised schedule sets out the programme "to achieve opening of the Elizabeth Line in December 2018 and completion of the full service in December 2019".

The Elizabeth Line will serve 41 stations and stretch across more than 60 miles from Reading and Heathrow in the west through tunnels in central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. Once it's up and running, it is expected to carry more than 200m passengers a year.

It will be known as the Elizabeth Line when the tunnels under central London open in December.

Howard Smith, Operations Director for the Elizabeth Line, said today:

Seeing our striking new stations take shape is an extremely exciting time for all involved in the historic Elizabeth Line project.

We look forward to opening these dynamic new spaces to Londoners and visitors when we launch the railway in nine months’ time.