Three quarters of the Crossrail route runs above ground on the existing rail network through outer London, Berkshire and Essex. To deliver the Crossrail service on these sections of the route, Network Rail is undertaking a £2.3bn investment programme to:
- Add capacity on key parts of the network, including more than 30 miles of new track, the delivery of a new flyover in Hillingdon and a new diveunder tunnel beneath the railway at Acton
- Improve 29 stations, including the delivery of more than 40 lifts, platform extensions at 16 locations to accommodate longer trains and a complete rebuild of nine stations to provide new, spacious, bright ticket halls
- Electrify the Great Western Main Line in west London and Berkshire to allow for the introduction of new, quiet, greener and more reliable electric trains
- Install modernised signalling systems to allow for more services to run more reliably
- Construct new sidings to stable Crossrail trains overnight.
