THROUGH services between Shenfield and Heathrow Airport as well as 24 trains operating during peak periods were introduced from May 21, finally completing the £19 billion Crossrail project.
Originally the railway was due to open in phases from May 2018 until December 2019, but a series of delays caused by various issues including systems integrations and the pandemic saw the central section from Abbey Wood to Paddington open on May 24, 2022, with trains from Shenfield to Paddington and Reading/ Heathrow Airport to Abbey Wood commencing on November 6, 2022.
The final phase, to introduce trains from Shenfield through to the western section, was introduced on May 21,
