What is happening with the Elizabeth Line?
By Chris on 28th November 2021.
Last updated on 11th October 2024.
You can see live departure times on the station’s page.
The Crossrail project began construction of a new west to east underground railway in London in 2009. When the railway finally opens it will be called the Elizabeth Line (named after Queen Elizabeth II). Abbey Wood station will be the terminus for the south-eastern branch of the new line.
On this page we aim to collect all the information we know about the new Elizabeth Line and how it affects Abbey Wood. Be sure to come back to this page regularly. We will update it as new information emerges as the opening date approaches.
Opening date
Unfortunately the Crossrail project has had a number of delays. Originally the Elizabeth Line was supposed to open in December 2018. However in August 2018 Crossrail’s management announced the opening would be delayed to 2019.
That revised 2019 opening date also proved to be very unrealistic too. In the latest update from the Crossrail project Mark Wild (Crossrail Chief Executive) said: “The Elizabeth line is on track to open in the first half of 2022 […]”.
The announcement was slighly misleading. Crossrial Does not
Route
The Elizabeth Line will run from West to East across London. It will start all the way out in Berkshire at Reading. From there it will run across central London. At Whitechapel the line will split into two branches. One branch will go to Abbey Wood. The other branch will go to Shenfield in Essex.
Journey times
The Elizabeth Line will offer fast journey times to central London from Abbey Wood. When the Elizabeth Line initially opens in the first half of 2022 you will be able to get to these stations in the following times from Abbey Wood:
| Station | Journey time (minutes) |
|---|---|
| Woolwich | 3 |
| Custom House | 7 |
| Canary Wharf | 11 |
| Whitechapel | 15 |
| Liverpool Street | 17 |
| Farringdon | 20 |
| Tottenham Court Road | 23 |
| Bond Street | 25 |
| Paddington | 28 |
You will also be able to get to the following stations if you change at Whitechapel:
| Station | Journey time (minutes) |
|---|---|
| Stratford | 20 |
| Maryland | 22 |
| Forest Gate | 24 |
| Manor Park | 26 |
| Ilford | 29 |
| Seven Kings | 32 |
| Goodmayes | 34 |
| Chadwell Heath | 36 |
| Romford | 39 |
| Gidea Park | 42 |
| Harold Wood | 45 |
| Brentwood | 49 |
| Shenfield | 54 |
When the Elizabeth Line is fully open and running you will also be able to get to the following stations from Abbey Wood:
| Station | Journey time (minutes) |
|---|---|
| Acton Main Line | 35 |
| Ealing Broadway | 36 |
| West Ealing | 40 |
| Hanwell | 42 |
| Southall | 42 |
| Hayes and Harlington | 45 |
| Heathrow Terminal 2/3 | 51 |
| Heathrow Terminal 4 | 59 |
| West Drayton | 49 |
| Iver | 51 |
| Langley | 54 |
| Slough | 57 |
| Burnham | 61 |
| Taplow | 63 |
| Maidenhead | 66 |
| Twyford | 73 |
| Reading | 79 |
Journey prices
Abbey Wood station is currently in TFL zone 4. When the Elizabeth Line opens it will still be a zone 4 station. The Elizabeth Line will be operated by TFL. This means journeys on the Elizabeth Line will be charged at the standard TFL fares:
| Zone | Stations | Peak cost from Abbey Wood |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street | £4.00 |
| 2 | Whitechapel, Canary Wharf | £2.50 |