Scheme at Ilford hit by concourse issue, railway’s boss says

The opening of a new station on the eastern branch of Crossrail is up in the air because of a “structural issue” involving a damaged concrete slab.

Crossrail boss Mark Wild said the new station in Ilford might be delayed until later this year. It was due to open this spring.

Ilford station entrance with purple Elizabeth Line branding

Source: Shutterstock

Purple livery has been added to Iflord station to denote Crossrail services will stop there

Wild told the London Assembly transport committee: “Ilford’s entry into service remains under review pending the resolution of a structural issue related to a damaged concrete slab in the concourse area.”

Ilford and nearby Romford stations are being upgraded by Network Rail to take Crossrail services with the work being carried out by VolkerFitzpatrick.

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Wild again reiterated that the line, which was originally due to open in December 2018, will see services running through its central London stations by the end of June.

He added: “After the opening of the central section of the Elizabeth line, in the first half of this year, direct services from Reading, Heathrow and Shenfield are expected to connect with the central section in autumn 2022 and full end to end services no later than May 2023.”

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