The Elizabeth line, moving you across London... faster.
It has been three years, to the day, since the Elizabeth line became fully operational to passengers.
In those three years it has gone on to become one of the busiest lines in the country, with services running from Reading and Heathrow to Abbey Wood and Shenfield, and has changed how people move in and around the city.
But, the construction of the tunnels, new stations, upgrades to existing stations, new trains, the signalling system and more were not without their issues: Budgets grew and timelines were missed.
So, let's take a look at how this incredible cross-London line came to be.
The beginning.
There had been schemes to create a line to cross London since the early 1900s, all of which were unsuccessful. Many felt that the idea was finished for good, but this was just the catalyst for what would become the Elizabeth line.
In 2005 the Crossrail Bill was submitted to Parliament, gaining Royal Assent in 2008.
Following gaining Royal Assent Crossrail Limited was set up to manage the design and construction of the railway. Between 2008 and 2009 the procurement process kicked in, with contractors being brought aboard, which enabled demolitions to begin and utility services to be diverted. Formal construction began in May 2009.
