As an Essex based planning consultancy, we take a keen interest in major developments which are in close proximity to our office. The Shenfield terminus for Crossrail (now called the ‘Elizabeth Line’) is just 12 miles, and 25 minutes away by road.
When the whole route is opened in December 2019, fast and frequent trains will take you through the heart of London calling at major interchanges such as Liverpool Street and Paddington, all the way through to Reading in Berkshire. Other places made much more accessible by Crossrail’s introduction include Abbey Wood in South East London and Heathrow Airport.
The project is costing a total of £14.8 billion is currently the largest infrastructure project in Europe. The brand new modern trains, built in Derby by Bombardier, are 200 metres long with a capacity for up to 1,500 passengers, and will travel on a 100km long route network. They will also be fitted with Wi-fi and 4G and be fully accessible to wheelchair users.
Crossrail has also seen 42km of tunnels built and 10 new train stations constructed, with 30 existing stations upgraded. This means that 1.5 million people will now be within a 45 minute commute of central London, including those living in West Essex near Shenfield.