Crossrail is Nearing Reality
Crossrail is nearing reality – the project is now 80% complete!
Although the full route won’t open until late next year an early indication that Crossrail is nearing reality will occur this May when the first trains will be run along the part of the route between Liverpool Street (Main Line) and Shenfield.
Many of those investors who have bought into residential property along the route have already seen above average increases in capital values but as Crossrail becomes a reality there is expected to be a surge of demand for rented property which will inevitably fuel a drive in higher rental values.
Crossrail is Nearing Reality –Progress and Plans
Significant project milestones have recently been achieved in outer London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Essex, including
· the opening of a second ramp for the Shockley Flyover at Heathrow junction and a new dive under at Acton;
· the go-live of the extended bay platform at Hayes & Harlington, to allow Great Western Railway (GWR) to bring in more new electric trains;
· track upgrades at Maidenhead and Shenfield;
· platform extension work at West Ealing, Southall and Hayes & Harlington.
Electrification works to 12 miles of railway between Maidenhead and Heathrow junction is nearing completion which means rail passengers can look forward to quieter, greener and more efficient journeys.
At Abbey Wood, the iconic timber roof structure for the new station has been completed. Installation of zinc lining around the timber structure is now underway and due to complete in the spring.
Production of the new Class 345 trains continues in Derby, alongside extensive testing of the new trains at the Ilford depot where the first complete train is now undergoing testing. Further testing recently took place in Vienna to trial the train in intense weather conditions.
In Ilford, the design proposal for the new station building was approved by Redbridge Council, to include a new bright, spacious building with a larger ticket hall and new lifts to provide step-free access from street to platform.
This new building will join to the new ticket hall that was opened at Ilford station on York Road, which was completed in 2016 as part of Transport for London’s upgrade works.
This month saw the start of the installation of glazed platform screen doors inside the eight new sub-surface stations, a key feature of the design of the Elizabeth line.
Architectural fit-out will continue at all the new stations, bringing to life the distinct character of each. At the same time, the major station overhauls and upgrades on the outer western and eastern ends of the route will gain pace together with public space improvement works at 40 sites along the railway.
By the summer, all new tracks inside the tunnels will be complete. In the autumn, power will begin to be switched on for first time inside the new tunnels to allow the testing of new trains under the city.
A Chance to See
Two major public exhibitions are offering unique insight into the project. More than 500 archaeological finds discovered during construction will be on display from February at the Museum of London Docklands. At the London Transport Museum, visitors can get a glimpse of station design and public art on the Elizabeth line. The exhibition includes station models and architectural and art samples.
Investing in Crossrail
The project really has come a long way since construction began in 2009 and although there is still much to do before the first trains run through central London in December 2018 progress appears to be firmly on track – Crossrail is nearing reality!
Whether you have already invested in property along the Crossrail route or are thinking of doing so and would like further information please contact our experts for an update on how prices and rents are expected to move.