Media centre

Monday 23 Oct 2017

Abbey Wood’s new station building is now open

Region & Route:

| Southern

• Striking new station building and concourse, delivered by Network Rail as part of the Crossrail project, has opened to Southeastern passengers

• From December 2018 the Elizabeth line will allow passengers from Abbey Wood to travel right through central London to Paddington

The new station building at Abbey Wood has opened today on schedule.  Delivered by Network Rail as part of the Crossrail project, the opening of the striking station building and concourse marks the start of the transformation of transport links for Abbey Wood which will be served by existing Southeastern rail services and the Elizabeth line from December 2018.

Work will continue to complete the station’s full facilities including the commissioning of new lifts to the concourse and installation of systems required for the Elizabeth line. The temporary station at Abbey Wood, opened in 2014 to keep passengers moving while work progressed on the new station building, will be removed and the car park reinstated. The London Borough of Bexley will continue its urban realm improvement works to the front of the new station building. Transport for London has assumed responsibility for Abbey Wood station from Southeastern ahead of the launch of Elizabeth line services next year.

When fully complete passengers will take advantage of the new station’s facilities including:

• Step-free access to every platform with lift access throughout the station
• New bright and spacious ticket hall with ticket machines and customer information office
• Improved connections including new stairs and lifts linking north and south sides of Abbey Wood
• Seating and information screens on the concourse.     

From December 2019, when the full route opens, an Elizabeth line service every five minutes will allow passengers to catch one train right through central London to Paddington, Heathrow or Reading in the west.

Ben Wheeldon, Crossrail Programme Director at Network Rail, said: “After 4 years of construction, we are extremely proud of this achievement and the immediate benefits the new station building will bring to the local community.  The opening of the new ticket hall and concourse at Abbey Wood is a further milestone for the Crossrail project and a clear demonstration of our Railway Upgrade Plan delivering for passengers.  We would like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience while we built this important new station.”

Howard Smith, TfL’s Operations Director for the Elizabeth line, said: “The opening of the new station building at Abbey Wood is an important milestone, bringing us one step closer to the introduction of Elizabeth line services next December. Abbey Wood will be one of ten new Elizabeth line stations, providing passengers with a direct link through central London to new destinations. We look forward to step-free access to the station being completed as soon as possible.”

Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE, Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, said: “The opening of the new station in Abbey Wood is really good news for all of Bexley’s residents and businesses and is an important step forward in our plans to improve transport connections and services in the borough.”

Cllr Denise Hyland, Leader of Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “The opening of the new Abbey Wood station and the planning and thought that has gone into the design is fantastic to see. I have no doubt that travellers using the station will find it a most welcome addition to complement all the other improvements being made here locally. With the new Elizabeth line coming here next year, the new station and this additional transport infrastructure helps make Abbey Wood an even more desirable location for people to want to come and settle in.”

Steve Murphy, Managing Director of MTR Crossrail, said: “We are delighted to work with TfL at Abbey Wood station as we look ahead to the launch of the Elizabeth line in December 2018. In addition to this, we are excited to welcome the superb station staff at Abbey Wood to MTR Crossrail.”