Wild: plans to start Crossrail central section trial running

London needs the Elizabeth Line more than ever and everyone at Crossrail is working towards the delivery of a safe and reliable railway.”

That was the message from Crossrail Chief Executive Mark Wild in his latest update letter sent to the London Transport Assembly (dated July 3).

Wild wrote that focus remains on doing everything possible to open the central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood as soon as possible.

Work is being re-sequenced, and a plan developed to enable trial running to start in earnest soon. This will include a five-week blockade across the tunnels, track, shafts and portals to allow clear access for construction and testing staff during August.

To start trial running, Crossrail must achieve the following: all central section stations certified as ready to support trial running; complete handover of the shafts and portals to Transport for London; complete dynamic testing of the signalling and train systems; handover of the completed route to TfL; complete the safety and assurance process for the Elizabeth Line; obtain regulatory approval from the Office of Rail and Road to start trial running.

Wild said work continues on understanding the financial and delivery implications of COVID-19 on the programme. That will be discussed by the Board later in July, he said.

• For the FULL story, read RAIL 909, published on July 15, and available digitally from July 11.