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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Crossrail delay: New London line will open in autumn 2019 | Crossrail delay: New London line will open in autumn 2019 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| London’s £15bn Crossrail project is to open nine months after its scheduled launch to allow more time for testing. | |
| Europe's biggest infrastructure project will help ease London's chronic congestion by connecting major landmarks such as Heathrow Airport and the Canary Wharf business district. | |
| The route, to be known as the Elizabeth Line, had been due to open in December, but will now be launched in autumn 2019 "to ensure a safe and reliable railway", transport officials said. | |
| It is running almost £600m over budget. | |
| When fully operational, trains will run from Reading and Heathrow in the west through 13 miles of new tunnels to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. | When fully operational, trains will run from Reading and Heathrow in the west through 13 miles of new tunnels to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. |
| It will operate as three separate services - as previously planned. | It will operate as three separate services - as previously planned. |
| Crossrail says the new line will connect Paddington to Canary Wharf in 17 minutes. | |
| An estimated 200m passengers will use the new undergound line annually, increasing central London rail capacity by 10% - the largest increase since World War Two. | |
| Crossrail Limited described the 10-year project as "hugely complex". | |
| The original timetable for testing has been reduced by contractors needing more time to complete work in the central tunnels and develop software, Crossrail said. | |
| Transport for London (TfL) said more time is needed "to ensure a safe and reliable railway for customers from day one of passenger service". | |
| Analysis | |
| By Tom Edwards, BBC London transport correspondent | |
| I have lost count of the times that Crossrail executives said to me the project would be delivered "on time and on budget". | |
| Today that disappeared in a puff of smoke, and there is no doubt this is a blow for Crossrail. | |
| I'm told it wasn't one specific problem. There were issues with three different signalling systems and also delays to the station fit outs. | |
| They simply ran out of time. This will also hit Tfl's finances who were relying on Crossrail to increase their fare take | |
| This flagship project - the biggest construction project in Europe - just lost some of its lustre. | |
| Simon Wright, Crossrail chief executive, said: "The Elizabeth line is one of the most complex and challenging infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK and is now in its final stages. | Simon Wright, Crossrail chief executive, said: "The Elizabeth line is one of the most complex and challenging infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK and is now in its final stages. |
| "We have made huge progress with the delivery of this incredible project but we need further time to complete the testing of the new railway. | "We have made huge progress with the delivery of this incredible project but we need further time to complete the testing of the new railway. |
| "We are working around the clock with our supply chain and Transport for London to complete and commission the Elizabeth line." | "We are working around the clock with our supply chain and Transport for London to complete and commission the Elizabeth line." |
| Elizabeth line trains are already operating between Shenfield and Liverpool Street, and between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington. | Elizabeth line trains are already operating between Shenfield and Liverpool Street, and between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington. |