Discover the Crossrail route
Crossrail will deliver a high frequency, high capacity service to 37 stations linking Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east via 21 km of new twin-bore tunnels under central London. It will bring an additional 1.5 million people within 45 minutes commuting distance of London's key business districts.
Around 200 million passengers will travel on Crossrail each year and the route will provide a 10% increase to rail capacity in the capital. Crossrail will make travelling in the region easier and quicker and will reduce crowding on London's transport network, operating with main line size trains carrying more than 1500 passengers in each train during peak periods.
Central section
New Crossrail stations, costing in the region of £2bn, will be constructed along the central route at Paddington, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel and Canary Wharf.
Worksites have been established for each of these stations throughout central London, with main construction of the stations due to commence in late 2011.
In spring 2012, the first tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will start on their journey from Royal Oak towards the west of Farringdon station. This will be followed shortly by the launch of further tunnel boring machines in Docklands that will head under central London towards the east of Farringdon.
The tunnels will weave their way between existing underground lines, sewers, utility tunnels and building foundations from station to station at depths of up to 36m.
Tunnel portals, providing access to the rail tunnels, will be constructed at Royal Oak, Pudding Mill Lane, Victoria Dock, North Woolwich and Plumstead.
Click here for further information about each of the central section station worksites.
Surface sections
The construction of 21km of new twin-bore tunnels under central London, Crossrail will connect services on the Great Eastern, Great Western and North Kent mainlines with central London, slashing journey times and alleviating congestion on London’s transport network.
Existing infrastructure and stations on the surface sections of the route will be upgraded, in works delivered by Network Rail. Click below for further information about works on the surface sections of the Crossrail route.
Video: Crossrail route graphic
This graphic shows the Crossrail route from West to East, demonstrating the length of the route and the improved transport links which the railway will provide when services open
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Communicating the works
Crossrail is committed to providing up-to-date information about construction works taking place throughout the route to ensure local communities are kept informed not only about the benefits that the Crossrail service will deliver, but also about current progress and milestones.
We endeavour to provide real-time information about our works programme throughout construction to help you understand the upgrade works taking place throughout central London and beyond. Our dedicated station pages list planned works at each of the central London stations and in time you will be able to find out about planned works at each of the 37 stations on the Crossrail route.
You can use our Near You mapping tool to find out about current works in your area. To receive email notifications about planned works you can sign up to our station mailing lists online or by contacting our Helpdesk team.
If you cannot find the information that you are looking for you can use the contact form at the head of this page to notify us and a member of our Helpdesk team will contact you directly to assist.
