Crossrail work begins in SE London

If you live in South East London and have wondered why the Greenwich line has not been running the past couple of Sundays, despite what southeastern’s rail planner says, then it’s because Crossrail work has finally begun between Abbey Wood and Plumstead stations. Work is beginning between the two stations in the area where the Crossrail line will deviate from the existing North Kent line, around the site where the sidings are located, just before Plumstead station. The line will then enter a tunnel running under the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich before heading north of the river towards Canary Wharf.

I passed earlier on the train and much of the foliage and trackside rubbish has been cleared and a work site established with what appears to be new access roads. See the red box in the map above for the site where work has begun. According to a letter Network Rail delivered to local homes there will be a few more forthcoming Sunday closures in coming weeks. This is the start of much work over coming years as sewer and other utility pipes are diverted and bridges altered.

There will be much disruption along the line in coming years as Crossrail work intensifies and London Bridge is rebuilt. On the bright side though by 2018 the service from Abbey Wood and Woolwich will be vastly improved, and the rest of the line towards London will benefit from less crowding, and the long holdups at the choke point outside of London Bridge will be greatly relieved as 6 through platforms become 9.