Western section
Network Rail is responsible for delivering the western section of the Crossrail route on the existing National Rail network.
The western section of the Crossrail route runs from Paddington in west London to Heathrow Airport and Maidenhead. The 13 stations on the route will undergo a number of enhancements to facilitate the new Crossrail services due to begin in 2018. This includes new station buildings at Acton Main Line, Southall, West Ealing and Hayes & Harlington and a major renovation at Ealing Broadway.
Platform extensions will allow longer, higher capacity trains to run and step-free access at the majority of stations will improve the accessibility for passengers.
There will also be major infrastructure improvements to improve the reliability of passenger services, including a new diveunder (underpass) at Acton Freight Yard, flyover at Stockley and the development of Maidenhead sidings. Several bridges along the route are also being redesigned to allow for overhead electrical cables.
Service Improvements
Crossrail will improve Great Western route suburban services by offering:
- New and longer trains
- Electric trains providing a quicker, cleaner, quieter and smoother journey than the current stopping diesel trains used west of Paddington
- Journeys into the West End, City and east London without the need to change trains
- Additional capacity and reduced overcrowding
When it opens in 2018, Crossrail will provide ten trains per hour on the Great Western main line at peak. This will include four trains per hour to Maidenhead, four trains per hour to Heathrow and two trains per hour to West Drayton.
Other operators’ services are assumed to be:
- 2 trains per hour from Reading calling at Twyford, Maidenhead, Slough, Hayes & Harlington and Ealing Broadway to Paddington;
- 2 trains per hour from Reading calling at Twyford, Maidenhead, Taplow, Burnham and terminating at Slough;
- 1 through train from Henley on Thames to Paddington; and
- 1 through train from Bourne End to Paddington
Summary of minimum indicative services to central London per hour:
(The Greenford Branch will have an increased level of service in the peak hours to compensate for withdrawal of through trains to Paddington)
|
Station |
Peak |
Off Peak |
||
|
|
Crossrail |
Other Services |
Crossrail |
Other Services |
|
Maidenhead |
4 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
|
Taplow |
4 |
- |
2 |
- |
|
Burnham |
4 |
- |
2 |
- |
|
Slough |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Langley |
4 |
- |
2 |
- |
|
Iver |
4 |
- |
2 |
- |
|
West Drayton |
6 |
- |
2 |
- |
|
Heathrow Airport |
4 |
4 Heathrow Express |
4 |
4 Heathrow Express |
|
Hayes & Harlington |
10 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
|
Southall |
8 |
- |
6 |
- |
|
Hanwell |
2 |
- |
2 |
- |
|
West Ealing |
4 |
4 Greenford |
4 |
2 Greenford |
|
Ealing Broadway |
10 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
|
Acton Mainline |
4 |
- |
4 |
- |
The detailed timetable will be determined nearer to when Crossrail services begin.
The Crossrail service levels are those permitted by the Track Access Option. It is hoped to provide a consistent service 7-days a week at all stations Crossrail will serve.
Western Section Works Programme
|
Location |
Enabling Works Started |
Construction Starts/ Started |
Works Complete |
|
Acton Yard / Dive-under |
July 2011 |
Sep 2011 |
2016
|
|
Stockley Flyover |
Dec 2011 |
Jan 2012 |
2016
|
|
Replacement of Old Stockley bridge |
Oct 2012 |
Dec 2012 |
May 2013 |
|
Replacement of Horton bridge |
Oct 2012 |
Dec 2012 |
May 2013 |
|
Replacement of Trenches bridge |
Oct 2012 |
Dec 2012 |
June 2013 |
|
Replacement of Middlegreen Road bridge |
Oct 2012 |
Dec 2012 |
May 2013 |
|
Bridge parapet works |
Nov 2012 |
Nov 2012 |
Sept 2013 |