The Elizabeth Line could be open in time for Christmas The Times reports.

The main beneficiary is Canary Wharf, the line providing an 11min journey to Tottenham Court Road station and direct services to Heathrow.

London’s most expensive engineering project, conceived when Prime Minister Boris Johnson was Mayor, is £4bn over budget and at least three years late.  

Passengers will not be able to view London City Airport, it rises from under the runway, fencing erected to stop viewing.  Whilst a Silvertown for London City Station would be welcomed by the airport management current Mayor Sadiq Khan has ignored pleas for a short enquiry into the practicalities of a station.

A rail expert says that it is still not too late to add a station for the airport.  It could be built in six months (at a cost of £35m).  The timetable software is in place.  Even if not quite ready in time, trains can be turned around at Canary Wharf.

Andy Byford, London’s transport commissioner, said: “What could symbolise London’s phoenix-like rise from Covid more than the opening of the Elizabeth Line? Frankfurt can’t say that, Paris can’t say that, New York can’t say that.”

www.crossrail.co.uk