Matthew Offord has visited the Crossrail project to see for himself the progress being made on completing the Elizabeth Line. 

Crossrail is a 118-kilometre railway line being built to link London and the home counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Essex. Travelling under the centre of London, construction is being undertaken in very some very difficult locations. Constructing ten new stations has resulted in varying engineering challenges and environmental considerations unique to each station’s location. These constraints have defined the two main structural forms: mined underground and box-shaped underground stations, as well as above ground surface stations. Each new station will have its own, distinct character which reflects the environment and heritage of the local area.

The project is also employing 573 apprentices and has allowed 12,000 employees to enrol in the newly established Tunnelling and Underground Academy, the only facility in Europe dedicated to the education of soft-ground tunnelling techniques. This has ensured not only a first-class engineering project but has benefitted the industry in providing training and skills for this century.

Matthew entered the rail line nearest to Holborn Tube station and walked the line until he reached the new Tottenham Court Road platform. This follows his visit in 2011 when he watched the line being excavated:

https://www.matthewofford.co.uk/news/crossrail-project-will-benefit-hendon-says-matthew

Matthew said: “It was incredible to be able to visit one of the largest infrastructure projects taking place under the streets of London. The work is not only state of the art but is also having a very positive effect on the construction industry.

"I am pleased that one of the first decisions of the last Government was to agree this project should proceed. By 2018 we will see the first trains passing through the capital which will ultimately give local people unprecedented links to the east and west of London."