Continuous trials will take place between now and the project’s planned opening in the first half of next year.

Crossrail will steadily ramp up the numbers of trains running in the 42km of tunnels that have been built below London and on the existing rail network to allow the railway and the supporting systems to be operated as close as possible to an operational timetable.

#Crossrail has reached the next important milestone in the project with the trial running of trains underway as part of the major railway trials taking place throughout this year for the #Elizabethline.https://t.co/p4zRJG8jzn pic.twitter.com/MWnQ10mmdf

— Crossrail Project (@Crossrail) May 12, 2021

Mark Wild, Crossrail Chief Executive, said: “This is an incredibly significant moment.

“It marks the moment when our focus shifts to commissioning of the new railway and it puts us firmly on the path to Trial Operations and ultimately the opening of the Elizabeth line.

“I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard over many years to get us to this point. There have been real challenges along the way but the start of Trial Running is an important milestone for the Elizabeth line and for London.”

Crossrail is also making good progress with the new central section stations and has recently transferred Tottenham Court Road Elizabeth line station to TfL.

The station has been constructed by Laing O’Rourke who are now demobilising from the site.

Declan McGeeney, Director of UK Infrastructure, Laing O’Rourke, said: “I am immensely proud of our team for what they have achieved and how they have overcome the challenges of the past 12 months to get to completion.

“Their commitment to the project has been absolute and they have worked in close partnership with Crossrail and London Underground to create what is a truly impressive new station that will improve the journeys of millions of people for many decades to come.”