Crossrail

Crossrail aims to relieve congestion and support the development of London by providing new rail lines from east to west and north to south.

Two eastern routes of the ambitious project will pass through Newham - one via Stratford and another through the Royal Docks. It is hoped they will create a 'golden corridor' providing a huge boost to the economies on the route, providing thousands of jobs and homes for local people.

The Council aims to maximise the benefits to Newham residents and to the Thames Gateway region.

What is Crossrail

Crossrail is the new high frequency, convenient and accessible railway for London and the South East. From 2017 Crossrail will travel from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east via new twin tunnels under central London. It will link Heathrow Airport, the West End, the City of London, Canary Wharf, the Royal Docks and Stratford.

Crossrail will make access to and from the Royal Docks and Stratford easier and quicker. It will reduce crowding on London's network. It will operate with main line size trains, carrying more than 1500 passengers in each train during peak periods.

Royal Assent was given to the Crossrail Act in July 2008 giving Crossrail Ltd the authority to build the railway.

Preliminary works have commenced and are continuing during 2009. Main construction will start 2010.

Crossrail sponsors are the Mayor of London, through Transport for London, and the Secretary of State for Transport through the Department of Transport.

Crossrail Limited is the company charged with delivering Crossrail. Formerly known as Cross London Rail Links (CLRL), it was created in 2001 to promote and develop new lines that meet the needs of the people and businesses throughout the South East, and to ensure that London continues in its role as Europe's leading financial and business centre.

Established as a 50/50 joint venture company between Transport for London and the Department for Transport, Crossrail Limited became a wholly owned subsidiary of TfL on 5 December 2008.

You will need to have the Adobe Reader software installed to view these documents. This can be downloaded for free from the Adobe website.

Map showing the Crossrail route pdf

How will Crossrail affect Newham?

Both of the eastern spurs in the preferred route pass through Newham.
One line travels from Liverpool Street through Whitechapel to Stratford; on to Forest Gate, Manor Park and then to Ilford and Romford, ending at Shenfield. A second spur will travel from the Isle of Dogs (for Canary Wharf) to the North Kent Line to Abbey Wood.

Better rail connections to London and the South East will improve the transport choices for Newham residents.

Leaflet and map pdf