Covid pushes completion of Crossrail’s eastern and western stations into next year

Work to upgrade Crossrail stations outside of central London has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, the railway's boss has revealed.

In a letter to London Assembly transport committee chair Alison Moore, Mark Wild said despite recent achievements at Romford, West Drayton, Hayes and Harlington and Ealing Broadway the delays caused by covid-19 meant none of the stations on the railway’s eastern or western arms would be finished until next year.

He said: "As a result of the temporary pause of Network Rail works due to covid-19, it is likely that these enhanced stations, along with llford, Southall, Acton Main Line and West Ealing, will be completed as soon as possible in 2021."

Network Rail, which is responsible for the station projects on the eastern and western arms, stopped work on these projects on 24 March – the day after Boris Johnson announced a lockdown – with activity resuming in May.

Hochtief is carrying out the £40m Hayes & Harlington, West Drayton and Southall station upgrades, while Graham is responsible for the £47m of work at Acton, West Ealing and Ealing Broadway stations.

VolkerFitzpatrick is carrying out a £20m contract to upgrade the stations at Ilford in east London and Romford in Essex.

This news comes as Crossrail confirmed the responsibility for the governance of the programme will now move to sit directly with Transport for London.

Under the arrangements, Wild will report directly to new London transport commissioner Andy Byford.

Transport for London, the GLA and the government are having ongoing discussions around the additional funding needed to complete the Crossrail project.