Crossrail will be renamed the Elizabeth Line from 2018, it was confirmed today.
The line, which will be purple on the TfL Underground Map, will be named after Queen Elizabeth II, who visited Bond Street station to mark the announcement today.
The line is due to open in December 2018, at which point it will be renamed.
Once operating, it is expected to carry half a million passengers each day.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “Crossrail is already proving a huge success for the UK economy, and as we move closer to bringing this transformative new railway into service, I think it’s truly wonderful that such a significant line for our capital, will carry such a significant name from our country. As well as radically improving travel right across our city, the Elizabeth line will provide a lasting tribute to our longest serving monarch.”
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “This is an example of British engineering at its best and will transform the way people travel across London and beyond from 2018, bringing better and faster journeys, while boosting jobs and driving economic growth.”
Crossrail chairman Terry Morgan said: “Construction for the new railway is now over 70 per cent complete and is being delivered on time and within budget.
”The Crossrail project is one of the most ambitious and complex infrastructure programmes ever undertaken in the UK, the scale of engineering being delivered under the capital is quite incredible. The opening of the Elizabeth line in 2018 will be a significant moment for London.”
Trains will start operating on the Elizabeth Line in five phases: Liverpool Street to Shenfield – May 2017; Heathrow to Paddington (main line platforms) – May 2018; Paddington (Crossrail platforms) to Abbey Wood, through the new central tunnels – December 2018; Paddington (Crossrail platforms) to Shenfield – May 2019; and a full through service (including services to Reading) – December 2019.
