The Elizabeth line in London is one of the world's most sophisticated digital railways, with cutting-edge technology and design.
The Elizabeth line will run for more than 100 kilometres, from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, via core tunnels. Crossrail Ltd's new railway will serve about 200 million people per year.
Stations on Elizabeth Line
The Elizabeth line will have forty-one new and improved stations, including Paddington Station next to Mercure London Paddington Hotel, Hotel Indigo London Paddington Hyde Park and Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel.
Accessibility has improved.
Except for Ilford, all Elizabeth line stations will be step-free from street to platform when the route opens. In the summer of 2022, Network Rail plans to make that station step-free.
When fully operational, nine of the ten new stations, as well as Heathrow, will offer step-free access from the street to the trains. Wheelchair users should board the fifth carriage of Elizabeth line trains at Custom House station for level access.
Station personnel
From the first to the last train, all Elizabeth line stations will be staffed, with a 'turn up and go' service available to anyone who need assistance.
The Elizabeth line: everything you need to know
This newest railway will increase central London's train network capacity by about 10%.
High-frequency services connecting to more destinations – for many, the new train will offer reduced travel times between popular destinations in London. On the roomy trains and in the new and recently refurbished stations, travel will be more comfortable.
Stations in operation
Many of TfL Rail's existing stations were refurbished in preparation for the Elizabeth line's inauguration. New station buildings were built and existing ones improved with features such as brighter and more spacious ticket halls and waiting areas. Step-free access is available at every station with new lifts and footbridges (Ilford will be step-free in summer 2022). Refurbished waiting rooms and toilets as well as platform shelters and canopies can be expected.
Since the original building's completion in 1854, Paddington Station near our hotels has undergone the most substantial modification. The new station will improve capacity at this significant interchange, which is a popular endpoint for local, regional, and international travellers.
The new station is built to the south of Brunel's renowned 19th-century station, located beneath Eastbourne Terrace and Departures Road, and spans three storeys, with two surface-level entrances via a new pedestrianised public space.
A spectacular steel and glass canopy eight metres above Departures Road covers a 90-meter clear opening, a unique feature for urban underground station design, allowing natural light to flow down to the station. Natural air may move freely throughout the station because of the open gap.
A unique work of art by American artist Spencer Finch is printed on the 120 metre long canopy. In the tradition of artists such as Constable and Turner, the 'Cloud Index' provides an image of the sky that appears to alter depending on the light, the direction of the sun, and the time of day.
Departures Road, formerly a busy taxi queue, has been transformed into a comfortable urban realm with a stone-paved boulevard, benches, and customer information screens beneath a 120-meter-long canopy, and access to Platform 1 of the Main Line station via the Crossrail arch or Clock arch (in which the statue of Paddington bear resides). Departures Road leads to Eastbourne Terrace, where buses and taxis are available.
Passengers enter through the Departures Road level entrances into a large ticket hall with the same 10-foot grid as the former station across the street. The structure's weight is carried by a series of eight flared elliptical columns covered in bronze to head height, and dark, anodized 'Lily pad' light fixtures are inserted in concrete ceiling coffers.
There is an additional connection at platform level with direct access to the Bakerloo line.
The earlier "Paddington Integrated Project" which relocated the taxi rank to a purpose-built facility to the north of the station, enabled the construction of the new station. A refurbished Hammersmith & City line station with a green roof and a new entry into a new canal-side plaza with seating were also part of the project. In 2012, the Paddington Integrated Project was finished.
In addition to station enhancements, Crossrail has collaborated with Westminster Council on suggestions for station area improvements.
Features
Customers may board and exit the train more quickly and easily thanks to three sets of double doors along the length of each carriage. When braking, the driver-operated trains' intelligent lighting and temperature control help to regenerate electricity back into the supply and use up to 30% less energy.
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