First mile of dedicated Crossrail track complete

The first mile of a new two-mile section of dedicated Crossrail track has been laid by Network Rail.

One mile of the new section between the Crossrail tunnel portal at Plumstead and Abbey Wood station is now complete. This is the first section of dedicated track to be installed anywhere along the route.

Other work carried out included the realignment of existing track on the North Kent line and footbridge replacement works at Church Manor Way. Completion of the two-mile section will allow fit-out of the new tunnels ahead of Crossrail services beginning in 2018.

Matthew White, Crossrail Surface Director, commented on the installation: “Crossrail will help to transform Abbey Wood, providing a step change in public transport and encouraging investment and development in the local area. At peak time, 12 Crossrail trains an hour will make it significantly quicker and easier to get to range of destinations across London and the South East.”

Matthew Steele, Crossrail Programme Director at Network Rail, added: “Completing this section of track on time is important because it means that Crossrail can get on with the job of fitting out the new tunnels. Once fully open in 2018, the new tracks will link Abbey Wood to the rest of London like never before, providing local people with a dramatically improved rail service.”

From 2018, the Crossrail service will provide a train every five minutes during the peak times allowing residents to travel through the capital without having to change trains. Journey times from Abbey Wood to Canary Wharf and Bond Street will be cut by 20 minutes and reduced by 40 minutes to Heathrow.

Timelapse footage of the mile section of Crossrail track being laid: