Abbey Wood’s new rail station has opened as part of the preparation for the arrival of Crossrail next year.
The station officially opened yesterday and the striking 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.
The station has been dubbed the “Stingray” or “Manta Ray” as from above, the station is shaped like a ray, its zinc-surfaced “wings” extending into canopies sheltering staircases on either side.
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.
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.
Ben Wheeldon, crossrail programme director at Network Rail, said: “After four 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.”
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.
