Crossrail evacuation test with emergency services commence
Crossrail have today released a video showing testing of scenarios involving emergency services as the ramp up to opening continues.
This follows details which emerged this week of imminent testing involving thousands of volunteers due to begin in February in the tunnel core.
In advance of that, practice runs involving the London Fire Brigade and British Transport Police were undertaken yesterday which simulated smoke in a train and evacuation.
Trial Operations: As part of the collaborative trials taking place in preparation for the #Elizabethline we worked with @LondonFire and @BTP on an exercise simulating smoke on a train yesterday. Operational trials such as this are vital to delivering a safe and reliable railway. pic.twitter.com/e7du5PxlP0
— Crossrail Project (@Crossrail) January 20, 2022
Next month similar scenarios will be undertaken with busy trains to simulate various issues. Passengers would be de-trained and evacuation practiced via a number of methods. including via stations, trains and emergency exits.
The video shows the operation took place near Limmo Peninsula shaft. This will be involved in upcoming preparations using volunteers.
Limmo Peninsula is a vast site near Canning Town used as a construction base for much of the past decade. Now that construction here is complete, Transport for London propose 1,500 homes on site in joint partnership.
It’s all gone a bit quiet recently on housing plans, with suggestions work is on hold. 
The Treasury have opted not to support housebuilding plans from TfL on various parcels of land limiting the ability to utilise a number of sites. TfL state they could build 50,000 with support.
The proposal was to use a number of sites, with part for outright sale to generate initial returns, with others let to enable ongoing income to fund services such as Crossrail and other public transport in years to come. TfL predicted annual income of £250 million if they could proceed.
