South-east section
Network Rail is responsible for delivering the Crossrail works on the National Rail network. Stations will be upgraded to requirements set by the Department for Transport and Transport for London and overseen by Crossrail.
Responsible for the design, development and delivery of the parts of Crossrail that are on the existing network, its work will integrate Crossrail with the national rail network, delivering faster, more frequent trains into central London from the east and west.
Network Rail has awarded a major design contract for Crossrail works to Balfour Beatty Rail. The contract covers the design phase for works on the two-mile stretch from Plumstead to Abbey Wood in south-east London, including the design for the new Abbey Wood station, which is the terminus station on the south-east section of the Crossrail route.
The station work will provide two new Crossrail platforms and improved access. In addition, a four-track railway will be created requiring Network Rail to improve five bridges and build two new overhead electrified railway lines between Plumstead portal (where the central tunnel section emerges) and Abbey Wood.
Service Improvements
Crossrail will operate up to 12 trains an hour to and from Abbey Wood at peak times. At Abbey Wood there will be an easy interchange between Crossrail and North Kent Line services.
Crossrail's new tracks will mean that services on the North Kent Lines will not need to be reduced for Crossrail. Crossrail will operate in addition to existing services to London terminals.
There will be significant relief of overcrowding for passengers on existing North Kent Line services because of the passengers who transfer to Crossrail.
Overhead electrification will be installed along the route between the tunnel entrance at Victoria Dock Portal and Abbey Wood. The detailed timetable will be determined nearer to when Crossrail services begin.
