The latest on the new Elizabeth line
What's the latest on our wait for the vital new underground line?
If you haven’t heard, the Elizabeth line, or the Crossrail as many Londoners know it as, is a rapid transit line that spans 117 kilometers across England. An ambitious project to say the least, the Elizabeth line was first approved in 2007 and construction began two years later. The project received 1 billion dollars in funding by the European Investment Bank with the hopes of having the first trains running in 2017. Three years later the government delayed the launch to 2018. Fast forward to present day, the Elizabeth line has still not opened for business. The anticipated launch was then moved to Autumn 2019; however, it has now been delayed - indefinitely.
So, What are the Reasons for the Delay?
After months of delays and set backs, the much anticipated Crossrail started train testing, which included signal testing. There is a crucial part of the establishment of the Crossrail, as it warrants that it is safe and dependable for the general public. Well better safe than sorry, however this part of the troubleshooting process has taken longer than anticipated. It has been reported that contractors working on the monolithic railway need more time to complete vital finishing touches in the central tunnels, along with creating a robust software for the railway systems.
It’s well worth the wait though, since projections forecast that the Elizabeth line will surge central London’s rail capacities by 10% and thus help to immensely increase the British economy. While Londoners patiently wait for the Elizabeth line to make its debut, improvements have been made at a number of other stations ahead of the Elizabeth line. Seven Kings station recently received much needed lifts to accommodate those who have accessibility needs. These efforts are a part of an accessibility improvement programme across the TfL Rail network.
What to Expect When Completed
The Elizabeth line covers 73 miles of railway which is a combination of underground and above ground services. The route in which the EL will service, extends to some popular places in Central London to common commuter areas. To honour the Queen, the new EL line will be royal purple and white, shying away from traditional solid colours like other stations across London.
Services are estimated to be shorter in time, shearing off a whopping 20 minutes of travel time, and offer more efficient alternate routes that would prevent congestion on more popular lines and stations. The EL will offer free Wi-Fi to its commuters with climate control carriages to help keep cool in the summer, and stay warm on colder days. The trains have been designed to designate space for wheelchair users and substantial window space to let in the natural sunlight. It is estimated that the carriages will be more resourceful and use up to 30% less energy, promoting England’s firm stance on sustainability.
Like many masterpieces, its no surprise that such a complex and chef-d'oeuvre infrastructure would face a number of delays setbacks. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day.