Patrick McLoughlin visits Crossrail project at Canary Wharf

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin views Europe’s biggest infrastructure project at Canary Wharf, Woolwich and Abbey Wood station.

Crossrail will transform rail transport in London, cutting journey times from southeast London and improving connectivity between that area and the capitals key areas of employment. The Canary Wharf is the most progressed station of Crossrail’s 10 new stations with the station, retail and park areas being six stories high and 256 meters long.

Mr Mcloughlin viewed the recently completed ticket hall and platforms along with the preparation taking place for the installations of systems that will be in place ready for 2018 at Canary Wharf. He also saw the beginning of the construction of the new station at Abbey Wood, which will include a bright and spacious concourse that leads onto a wide forecourt connecting the station to the Harrow Manorway flyover which runs above the platform. There will also be two new island platforms for Crossrail and North Kent services.

The introduction of Crossrail will reduce the journey from Abbey Wood and Woolwich travelling to Canary Wharf by 11 minutes. The journey to Heathrow will be shortened by 40 minutes. Once opened, it will increase central London’s rail-based transport network capacity by 10% carrying around 200 million passengers per year.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “The progress that Crossrail is making is truly impressive, and it is great to see how the project will not only provide better journeys for passengers across London but will also support massive regeneration in the surrounding areas. Rapid transport links to the City and the West End will unlock investment and jobs, supporting further economic growth and local development.

“Crossrail is proof that our plan to build a rail network fit for the 21st Century is firmly on track.”

Crossrail is being delivered on time and within the budget of £14.8bn. The construction is 70% complete with 10,000 people currently working on 40 construction sites. A total of 485 apprenticeships have been created and 12,000 people have been trained at the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy in east London.

Crossrail services will begin through central London is 2018. Every five minutes during the peak times, the trains will allow residents to travel right through the capital without any changes in trains.

 

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