The Public Accounts Committee says Crossrail has not yet publicly announced an exact opening date for the route and a “clear communication strategy” should be developed for the public. “With the opening of the central section potentially as soon as February 2022 – and the staged opening of different routes – commuters and businesses will need increased certainty to better plan for Crossrail's opening,” it says.

In the meantime cost and schedule risks need attention, it adds. Trial running is under way through the central section involving 12 trains an hour but a “significant software update” is needed for the final stage of testing where up to 24 trains an hour will run. Crossrail expected this update to have been completed in summer 2021 but it was delayed by up to eight weeks.

Five of the nine central section stations have been handed over to the eventual infrastructure maintainer, but Canary Wharf and Bond Street have had significant issues in the past and are yet to be completed, the report adds.

It points out that any delay to the programme remains a significant risk to the total cost of the Elizabeth line. It is said that Crossrail was expected to have updated its plans by July 2021 – which would inform its range of potential opening dates and costs – but this has been delayed by up to two months. The Committee calls on Crossrail to provide an update on the latest programme plan and the revised forecast cost for the whole programme, and an opening date for the central section and the entire railway.

The Committee also points out that the collapse in passenger numbers due to the pandemic and subsequent bailout to Transport for London has complicated how and when loans can be repaid. It also voices concerns that Transport for London and the Department for Transport do not appear to have a plan to maximise the long term, wider economic benefits of Crossrail.
 
In response, Transport for London’s Commissioner Andy Byford said: “While I understand that everyone wants to know the specific opening date for the Elizabeth line, this will not be confirmed until we are completely satisfied that we are ready to go.

“The project has my full, personal attention, the opening window continues to be what I have always said, namely the first half of 2022 and the final cost will not exceed a penny more than the budget which TfL inherited when it assumed full control of the project under my direction.”
 
Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild added: “We are doing everything we can to complete the Elizabeth line as quickly as possible, but there are no shortcuts to delivering this hugely complex railway. The Elizabeth line must be completed to the highest safety and quality standards and be able to demonstrate the highest levels of reliability from the start of passenger services.”

(Photograph: Crossrail Ltd)