Elizabeth line latest LIVE: Crossrail opens to Londoners as commuters hail ‘unbelievable’ new link

The £20 billion Elizabeth line has opened to Londoners with much fanfare after people queued throughout the night to take the first trains from Paddington and Abbey Wood.

There were extraordinary scenes and a party atmosphere as hundreds of passengers, the first of whom had been waiting since midnight, rushed down two flights of escalators to the platform to await the 06.33am, the first train to depart Paddington.

As the train set off bang-on time, Mayor Sadiq Khan exclaimed “phew!” and gave Transport for London commissioner Andy Byford a bear hug. Mr Khan, cupping his ear, told the Evening Standard: “Do you know what sound that is? Success.”

Mr Khan said: “It's a landmark day.”

There were some confusion when passengers were evacuated from Paddington station just before 9am after a fire alarm. The incident was brief and the platforms were reopened within about 30 minutes.

The new line, also known as Crossrail, will transform the daily commute for Londoners, slashing journey times between key underground stations, like Paddington and Canary Wharf.

Follow the latest updates below

Excitement is building ahead of the official opening of the Elizabeth Line at 6.30am on Tuesday

Monday 23 May 2022 15:23 , Barney Davis

London’s new £18.9 billion Elizabeth line railway finally opens ahead of tomorrow’s rush hour

Countdown to Elizabeth line opening

22 things you didn’t know about Crossrail

Monday 23 May 2022 15:26 , Barney Davis

The new line–also known as Elizabeth Line–will transform the daily commute for Londoners, slashing journey times between key underground stations, like Paddington and Canary Wharf.

Crossrail: Top 22 facts about the Elizabeth line

What will it actually be like to ride Crossrail?

Monday 23 May 2022 15:28 , Barney Davis

Our reporter Daniel Keane was one of the lucky few chosen to find out...

‘Speedy and gloriously silent’: A first glimpse of the Elizabeth Line

Politicians are already looking to connect north and south London with Crossrail 2

Monday 23 May 2022 15:37 , Barney Davis

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke of his desire to launch Crossrail 2 having previously suggested it be called the Churchill Line as London Mayor.Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Elizabeth line, he said: “The real thing for us now is to think about Crossrail 2, the old Chelsea-Hackney line.

“That is going to be transformative again. All the problems of commuters coming into Waterloo getting up to north London, you can fix that with another Crossrail. I think we should be getting on with that.”

Crossrail 2: The route and plans for the north to south London line

London landmarks to turn purple tonight to mark Crossrail opening

Monday 23 May 2022 15:49 , Barney Davis

How will the capital see in the momentous launch of the Elizabeth Line? Our City Hall editor Ross Lydall explains all.

30 London landmarks to turn purple for Elizabeth line opening

Who will be overseeing the launch of Crossrail?

Monday 23 May 2022 15:53 , Barney Davis

Meet the team working behind the scenes to keep Londoners safe on the new Elizabeth Line.

Inside the mission control for London’s new Elizabeth Line

Artist highlights loss of iconic London sights including Astoria and Centre Point Fountains in Lossrail

Monday 23 May 2022 16:31 , Barney Davis

In 2008 artist Richard DeDomenici conducted an audio and visual survey of the sites that were to be demolished to make way for Crossrail.

In Lossrail he visited Centre Point fountains, Orbital comic book store and the Astoria and spoke to the people that frequent them - for posterity, historical interest, “in an attempt to freeze a city perpetually in flux”.

Lossrail was shortlisted for a Channel Four documentary competition in 2008.

How much time will Crossrail shave off my commute?

Monday 23 May 2022 16:55 , Barney Davis

This handy explainer reveals all.

Elizabeth Line: How much quicker will your commute be when Crossrail opens?

Boris Johnson hopes Crossrail will tempt Londoners back into the office

Monday 23 May 2022 17:17 , Barney Davis

The Prime Minister spoke at a launch event for the Elizabeth Line.

Boris says Elizabeth Line should inspire Londoners back to the office

Is Crossrail completely finished ahead of grand opening?

Monday 23 May 2022 17:50 , Barney Davis

All stations along the central section of the Elizabeth Line – from Abbey Wood to Paddington – are completed and ready to accept passengers from May 24 with the exception of Bond Street.

Crossrail: When is Bond Street station opening and why is it delayed?

Londoners getting up early to catch first Crossrail train

Monday 23 May 2022 18:04 , Barney Davis

Train fanatics are sharing their excitement about the grand opening of Crossrail on Tuesday morning over social media.

Many claim they are going to be getting up extra early so as to catch the first train due to leave Abbey Wood at 6.30am, followed by another at Paddington at 6.33am.

Queen hails ‘spectacular’ Elizabeth Line named after her

Monday 23 May 2022 18:08 , Barney Davis

The 96-year-old monarch, who now rarely carries out public engagements outside of her royal residences, joined her youngest son the Earl of Wessex for the official visit.

BBC share final images of empty Crossrail platforms ahead of grand opening

Monday 23 May 2022 18:14 , Barney Davis

BBC’s Tom Edwards has shared some photos of the soon-to-be bustling Crossrail platforms.

Crossrail will turbo-charge the West End’s recovery by delivering a £400 million boost

Monday 23 May 2022 18:40 , Barney Davis

Tens of millions more visitors a year are expected to visit London’s West End theatres and restaurants

Elizabeth line predicted to deliver £400 million boost to the West End

Elizabeth Line is a complete game changer for Canary Wharf, says top estate boss

Monday 23 May 2022 19:00 , Barney Davis

Shobi Khan, chief executive of Canary Wharf Group, said the Elizabeth line would also encourage more visitors to “one of London’s best-kept secrets”.

Elizabeth line is ‘game changer’ for Canary Wharf, says estate boss

Local schools create purple artwork for opening of new line

Monday 23 May 2022 21:32 , Michael Howie

Local schools have created purple artwork to mark the opening of the Elizabeth line's new stations.

One school was chosen from near each of the nine new stations to participate in the project.

The students' artwork has been made using the colour purple to reflect the new line's colour.

The decorations and paintings by pupils from Marylebone Boys School, Soho Parish Primary School, St Mary Magdalene Academy, Kobi Nazrul Primary School, Swanlea School, New City College, Royal Docks Academy, Royal Greenwich Trust School and London South East College have been placed at landmarks near the new stations.

Ann Gavaghan, customer experience manager at Transport for London's People and Places Programme, said it has been "fantastic" to drum up excitement in the local communities using the new colour.

"TfL has a long legacy of collaborating with local communities both within our stations and beyond. With just one day until the Elizabeth line launches, it has been fantastic to drum up excitement within the local community using the railway's eye-catching new colour," she said.

Monday 23 May 2022 22:50 , Anthony France

Elizabeth line: 30 London landmarks to turn purple for Crossrail opening.

Goodnight from us...

Tuesday 24 May 2022 00:03 , Anthony France

That’s it from the Evening Standard’s Elizabeth line live blog for tonight. The team will be back on Tuesday morning.

Welcome back

06:09 , Sarah Harvey

We have reporters at Abbey Wood station in SouthEast London and at Paddington Station ready to go on the first Elizabeth line trains from 6.30am.

Excited passengers wait at Paddington

06:13 , Sarah Harvey

A group of friends were among those who made the early morning journey to Paddington to be on the first train.One, Julian, 31, said: “I’m very excited for the new line, I’ve been waiting for several years.

“I just really like trains as well. It’s a once in a generation thing. Plus all this purple is the best colour. I got up about 5ish to come here.”

Sean, 29, added: “We came from Whitechapel, we came here just for the first one. I picked out my outfit from the night before”.

Claire, 29, at NHS worker from east London said: “I’m partially excited because it’ll make lives of Londoners easier. It’ll make my commute easier, I’m going to save 30 minutes on my commute.”

Long queues at Abbey Wood

06:15 , Sarah Harvey

A long queues outside Abbey Wood station at 6am this morning for the first westbound Elizabeth line service.

Sadiq Khan at Paddington Station

06:18 , Sarah Harvey

London mayor Sadiq Khan is at Paddington Station chatting to people ahead of the opening

TfL’s Andy Lord welcomes commuters to Abbey Wood

06:21 , Sarah Harvey

Andy lord, TfL’s operations manager, has thanked commuters as they arrived into Abbey Wood station, reports Daniel Keane.KD, a student Union manager, travelled from Manchester and stayed in a nearby hotel to ensure he was on the first Elizabeth Line service from Abbey Wood.“Seemingly I’ve not been queuing long enough! I got here at 5.50, I’m hoping to get on the first train.

“It’s not often you get brand new infrastructure so it was worth the journey down south.

“On a scale of one to ten of excitement, I’d say 11.”

‘There’s people here from as far away as Hong Kong'

06:34 , Elly Blake

One of those at the front of the barrier for the opening at Paddington was Colin Kelso, from Glasgow, who waw wearing a specially themed Crossrail hoody.

“I’m really excited. I came down from Glasgow last night,” he said.

“But there’s people here from as far away as Hong Kong. I stayed overnight in Reading. Half past four I came from Reading”.

First Elizabeth line train departed on time in ‘historic' moment

06:36 , Elly Blake

The first Elizabeth line train from Paddington through central London departed on time at 6.33am carrying hundreds of excited transport enthusiasts.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan hailed it as an “historic day” as the Elizabeth line opens to passengers for the first time.

“This is a huge moment, not just for London, but the entire country - particularly in this special Jubilee year,” he said.

‘I got here just before 6am, I’m very excited'

06:44 , Elly Blake

Terry, 66, had come from Westminster for the opening and was wearing a union jack waistcoat for the occasion, Josh Salisbury reports.

He has recently started a business running a navigation app for the Tube network.

“This is the underground first station of any in the world and this is the first station of this new line”, he said.“I got here just before six. I’m very excited.”

‘We can’t believe so many people came to Abbey Wood’, say local couple

06:46 , Elly Blake

Nick and Donna, a couple from Abbey Wood, said they had “never seen so many people” in their area as queues stretched outside the station.

“We can’t believe so many people came to Abbey Wood,” Nick said.

“But we’re very excited. It’s been a long time coming.

“We’re getting the train from Abbey Wood to Paddington and then having breakfast in Paddington to mark the occasion.

“Even though we don’t work as much in central London anymore, getting in there in 30 minutes is a game changer.”

Pictured: Excited passengers using the Elizabeth line for the first time

06:50 , Elly Blake

Elizabeth line opening is a ‘once in a generation thing’

06:53 , Elly Blake

Will, a media student from Salford, had come down early in a bid to catch the first train, Josh Salisbury reports.

“It’s just so exiting, it’s something different. It’s something new for transport,” he said.

“It’s been a long time coming. I went to visit Tottenham Court Road in 2018 when they said it was opening. I thought I may as well get here early. It’s a once in a generation thing.”

Pictured: Queues at Paddington have emptied quickly as people enjoy the line

06:54 , Elly Blake

Sadiq Khan: It’s a landmark day

06:57 , Elly Blake

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who also travelled on the first train, said: “It’s a landmark day.

“I’m excited. I’m like the little boy before Christmas.”

He said the Elizabeth line is a “game-changer” that will “transform our city”.

He added that the trains are “fit for a Queen” after her Majesty visited Paddington last week to mark the completion of the Crossrail project.

Watch: Young train enthusiast gifted Elizabeth line memorabilia to mark opening

06:59 , Elly Blake

‘It’s the best party in town this morning'

07:02 , Elly Blake

Vernon Kerswell was first in the queue at Paddington for the Elizabeth line opening.

Speaking to City Hall editor Ross Lydall, Vernon, a drone designer from South Wimbledon, said he arrived at midnight with a sleeping bag.

“It’s the best party in town this morning.”

“The technology on the trains is just unprecedented. I’m going to go to Abbey Wood and come back and go for a full English breakfast.”

Young train enthusiasts tell of excitement ahead of opening

07:12 , Elly Blake

Josh, 11, from Ealing, arrived at 04.48am and was at the front of the queue.

He said: "It’s really exciting. Is the Queen coming? I love this line - it’s amazing." Mr Byford presented him with the first Elizabeth line commemorative mug.

Meanwhile, 10-year-old Alexander, from Islington, said: “It’s the first train and I want to see it.

“I have been liking trains since I was seven. I have already seen the trains - they operate as TfL Rail - but I can’t wait to see them run as the Elizabeth line."

‘I have never been on a happier train’, says Crossrail chief executive

07:14 , Elly Blake

Mark Wild, the Crossrail chief executive, who had travelled on the first train from Abbey Wood, told the Standard: "I have never been on a happier train."

He added: "The real enthusiasts went from Abbey Wood."

Andy Lord, Transport for London’s chief operating officer, who accompanied him, said: "There were 600 people standing in the rain outside Abbey Wood this morning.

"I was awestruck by the ride. I’m immensely proud of everybody. We have actually shrunk London."

People travel from across the UK to be among first on Elizabeth line trains

07:15 , Elly Blake

Pete McGarley made the journey all the way from Sunderland the night before - but said it was worth the long trip as he had “been part of history”.

Speaking to the Standard just as the first train left Abbey Wood, he said: “I queued for about 45 minutes in the rain but it was worth it.

“Luckily I had a hotel booked just around the corner. I feel like I’ve been part of a history.”

Watch: Passengers embark on first train from Paddington to Abbey Wood

07:16 , Elly Blake

London landmarks turned purple on eve of ‘historic’ opening

07:25 , Elly Blake

Crossrail workers say opening of Elizabeth line has gone ‘fantastically well'

07:30 , Elly Blake

Paul Parsons, customer experience director at MTD Crossrail, said the morning service from Abbey Wood had gone “fantastically well” as the train left on time at 6.30.am

“We had a large crowd of people waiting patiently in the rain but in the end it all went to plan,” he told reporter Daniel Keane.

“We loaded the first train with about 500-600 people. We had rehearsed this over the last few days.

“Every service since the first has gone out on time. Drivers are doing a fantastic job of welcoming people on.

He added: “Abbey Wood has come alive. This is going to change people’s travel.”

More happy customers get their first ride on new line

07:36 , Elly Blake

Peter, 19, had made the full journey from Abbey Wood to Paddington after convincing his mother to drive him to the station at five in the morning from their home near Bexley.

He said: “It’s a huge day. I got the first train from Abbey Wood. I got up at five, much to the annoyance of my family.

“I dragged my mum out of bed, saying, ‘It’s open, let’s go!’”

‘I’ve come all the way from Lincoln'

07:38 , Elly Blake

25-year-old Ryan, who was also at Paddington station, came all the way from Lincoln for the day.

“It’s good, I’m about to do it, but I haven’t yet,” he said. “I’ve come all the way from Lincoln this morning. I’m excited to go on it. I’m going to go to Abbey Wood.”

22 top facts about the new Elizabeth line

07:50 , Elly Blake

How many stations will the Elizabeth line serve?

When did the construction of it begin?

How long is the line and where does it run from?

We’ve pulled together 22 top facts about the new line - click here to find out more.

Sadiq Khan and Andy Byford were among those on first trains to leave

07:56 , Elly Blake

The Mayor of London was joined by TfL Commissioner Andy Byford on the Elizabeth line on the first day it opened to the public.

Mr Khan hailed it as “a landmark day”.

“I’m excited. I’m like the little boy before Christmas.”

He said the Elizabeth line is a “game-changer” that will “transform our city”.

He added that the trains are “fit for a Queen” after her Majesty visited Paddington last week to mark the completion of the Crossrail project.

How much quicker will your commute be now Crossrail is open?

08:06 , Elly Blake

Journey times between destinations in central London are being slashed for thousands of Londoners thanks to the opening of the new line.

Destinations as far as Reading and Heathrow in the west and Shenfield in the east will be connected to the central section of the line in autumn this year, reducing commuting times for many.

Abbey Wood, in the borough of Greenwich, will reap some of the greatest benefits now the Elizabeth line has opened.

The journey between Abbey Wood and Tottenham Court Road is slashed by around 28 minutes - the single greatest reduction in journey time in central London.

How much quicker will your commute be? Find out more here.

When is Bond Street station opening and why is it delayed?

08:13 , Elly Blake

One station will not be serving passengers for several months.

All stations along the central section of the Elizabeth Line – from Abbey Wood to Paddington – are completed and now serving passengers, with the exception of Bond Street.

Problems identified included tunnelling.

Find out more about why Bond Street station’s opening has been delayed here.

TfL commissioner: The universal reaction is ‘wow'

08:17 , Elly Blake

TfL commissioner Andy Byford has described the grand opening of the Elizabeth line as “so far so good”.

He said: “The customer reaction has been amazing, just as predicted.

“The universal reaction is ‘wow’.”

Meanwhile, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “It’s the biggest expansion in our transport network for more than 50 years.

“These trains are speedy, spacious, silent, comfortable.

“We know now they are fit for a Queen and, as importantly, fit for Londoners.”

How much will it cost to ride the Elizabeth line?

08:29 , Elly Blake

Elizabeth line fares will match those on the London Underground.

Services currently operating as TfL Rail will remain unchanged.

But some parts of the line will cost slightly more.

Peak single journeys, weekdays from 6.30-9.30am and 4-7pm, to Heathrow airport from central London will cost £12.70.

They will be £2 cheaper at other times.

This compares with the Heathrow Express which costs £25 from Paddington.

Contactless pay-as-you-go payments are accepted across the line.

Daily and weekly capping will also apply.

‘Freedom passes’ allowing free travel, including to Heathrow and Reading, will be accepted after 9am on weekdays and at weekends.

Railcards attached to Oyster cards will also receive one-third off fares.

Similarly to the London Overground, folding bicycles are allowed at all times.

Non-folding bikes are only allowed off-peak.

Trade union boss says Government ‘must sort out ticketing mess’

08:32 , Elly Blake

A trade union boss has hit out at complicated TfL fares which will “undoubtedly create additional work for station and ticket office staff.“

Manuel Cortes, general secretary for Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) union, wants to see the fares system simplified.

He told BBC London News: “To make Crossrail the success it should be, the government must sort out the ticketing mess which makes fares a dog’s breakfast.

“The complicated combination of TfL fares, contactless and national rail fares structures makes the mind boggle and will undoubtedly create additional work for station and ticket office staff.”

What’s the ‘Heathrow premium’?

08:42 , Elly Blake

Elizabeth line passengers will pay a £7.20 “Heathrow premium” compared with the same journey on the Tube - but the journey will be about twice as quick.

A single journey between Paddington and Heathrow will cost £10.70 off-peak and £12.70 at peak times.

In comparison, a single Tube journey between zone one and the airport costs £3.50 off-peak and £5.50 at peak times - weekdays between 6.30am-9.30am and 4pm-7pm.

The Tube takes about 56 minutes from Paddington and requires at least one change of train.

The Elizabeth line will take 28 minutes from Paddington to reach the airport because it will call at six intermediate stations, including Ealing Broadway and Southall.

Meanwhile, fast train travel to and from Heathrow will cost almost 60 per cent less on Crossrail than the direct Heathrow Express.

The Heathrow Express, which takes 15 minutes and runs more frequently between the airport and Paddington, costs £25.

Andy Burnham: Govt need to decide - are they levelling up or not?

08:53 , Elly Blake

The Mayor of Greater Manchester has said the opening of Crossrail could create an ever higher bar when it comes to levelling up other parts of the country.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Andy Burnham hit out of at government proposals for a Crossrail 2, while cancelling Crossail for the North.

“It’s quite insulting,” he said.

Mr Burnham added: “People are fed up of a Government that said they were coming in to sort it all out but are building up more and more in London.

“I’d have no objection if we were getting the same but we’re not. It’s a decision point for them, they need to decide are they levelling up or are they not?”

Boris Johnson says he is ‘absolutely delighted’ Elizabeth line has opened

09:09 , Elly Blake

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is “absolutely delighted that the Elizabeth Line has opened to the public today”.

He tweeted on Tuesday morning: “Long-term investment in UK infrastructure pays off – with this project alone supporting 55,000 new jobs, 1,000 apprenticeships, and forecast to boost the UK economy by £42bn.”

Breaking: Elizabeth line platforms at Paddington evacuated

09:14 , Sarah Harvey

The Elizabeth line platforms at Paddington station were evacuated for a “fire alert” just hours after its grand opening on Tuesday morning. Read the full story here

A happy customer on the Elizabeth line

09:27 , Elly Blake

Local businesses in Woolwich hail Elizabeth line as a ‘game changer’

09:30 , Elly Blake

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is due to say a few words in Woolwich shortly.

Our reporter Daniel Keane is on the ground and we will be bringing you live updates of what he says.

Ahead of this, James Heaton, chief executive of arts centre Woolwich Works, has told the Standard that the opening of the Elizabeth Line in the area was a “game changer” for local businesses.

“I’ve been waiting a while for this day to come.

“The perception of this new link will be great for us, being just 19 minutes from Central London.

“The Elizabeth Line has the potential to move the boundaries for Central London.”

Update: Paddington station reopened after evacuation

09:39 , Elly Blake

Paddington station has reopened after rail staff were forced to close the station due to a “fire alert”.

Footage showed crowds leaving the station and shutters blocking off the line to passengers.

But the incident was fairly brief, lasting around half an hour.

It has since reopened.

City Hall editor Ross Lydall has been travelling along the Elizabeth line this morning

09:48 , Elly Blake

Earlier on Tuesday morning, our City Hall editor Ross Lydall has been speaking to some of the excited Crossrail passengers who travelled from across the UK and queued through the night to be among some of the first to ride on the new line.

Watch what they told him here.

Sadiq Khan: This is an amazing day for the city

09:51 , Elly Blake

The mayor of London has arrived at Woolwich Station in south-east London to speak to reporters.

The new Elizabeth line station will help to transform Woolwich, support regeneration, reduce journey times and create new transport links for local people, Crossrail has said.

Speaking about the opening, Sadiq Khan said: “This is an amazing day for the city and the country”.

He also praised everyone who had worked on the project, which has been under construction since 2009.

“I think of the software engineers, the signallers who have worked on this… it’s a remarkable day.

“Everyone should be so proud. We have the world’s finest railway opening to the public.

“The last time we had a transport expansion on this scale was in 1969 when the Victoria line opened.”

He also said the new trains would boost Covid recovery by incentivising people to get back to the office.

Mr Khan told LBC: “These trains are speedy, silent and comfortable. They are a game changer for our capital city.

“This piece of infrastructure will last for years…This is going to entice and incentivise people back to their office.”

London First chief executive: Impact of new transport links would be felt ‘up and down the country'

10:01 , Elly Blake

The chief executive of London First has said the opening of the Elizabeth line will be “transformative”.

Speaking to BBC News, John Dickie said the impact of the new transport links would be felt “up and down the country”.

He said: “By connecting airports, offices, homes, shops, and leisure activities more quickly, easily and accessibly, the Elizabeth line will be transformative for Londoners and visitors alike.

“This project is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when business and all levels of government work together for the good of the national economy.

“With a quarter of carbon emissions coming from transport, and the project’s supply chain contracts awarded up and down the country, it is an investment in both a net zero future and levelling up.”

What does the new Tube map look like with the Elizabeth line included?

10:17 , Elly Blake

The Tube map has been redrawn to include the Elizabeth line – the biggest change to the map in recent history.

The £20bn cross-London line is shown as a white line with a double purple border – the same regal colour used for its roundels and other features.

However, TfL bosses are keen to emphasize that the Elizabeth line is “not a Tube line”.

A Transport for London spokeswoman previously said the “double purple” line – rather than a solid colour, as used for the Underground lines – “helps to reinforce… that it’s not a Tube line”.

Click here to find out more.

How will Crossrail affect house prices on its route?

10:32 , Elly Blake

You may have heard people talking about the “Crossrail effect”, the term for micro property price booms near Elizabeth line stations.

Some Crossrail areas are seeing a vast 10-year price growth, while other Crossrail locations are now in the spotlight for having average house prices still well below the £500,000 mark.

The price of a London home is now £523,666 on average according to the Office of National Statistics, so those looking to buy a home now that the train service is finally up and running — almost four years behind schedule — could do worse than to look at the cheapest areas on the route map.

Some areas around the line’s 41 stations have seen far more investment than others: south-east London’s Woolwich has had billions spent on new home builds with more developments on the horizon, while Seven Kings in east London hasn’t seen much more change than a station upgrade.

The cheapest areas are all on the east and south-east London sections of the Elizabeth line, with average houses under £500,000 and flats under £250,000. Click here to start your search.

Mayor of London challenges passengers to ‘get off Crossrail without a spring in their step'

10:35 , Elly Blake

Still speaking in Woolwich, Sadiq Khan has challenged anyone to “get off a Crossrail train without a spring in their step.”

The Mayor of London said he had met people from all over the world trying out the new line when it opened to the public for the first time on Tuesday morning.

“I met someone from Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Glasgow and Edinburgh early this morning getting onto a Crossrail train’” he said.

“Londoners have travelled across the city to get the first train - that’s the excitement that this engenders.”

Meet the man behind Crossail’s innovative design

11:18 , Elly Blake

Many have hailed Crossrail a design triumph, famed for its elegant curves and striking ceileings.

Its head of architecture, Julian Robinson, has said one of the features he is most proud of are the fully screened platform edges.

To find out more about the story behind the line’s innovative design details, click here.

Inside the mission control room for London’s new Elizabeth line

11:27 , Elly Blake

Located near Romford station, the top floor of an anonymous Network Rail building has been converted into the control centre for London’s £20bn new digital railway.

Home to about 60 staff, the room, known officially as Romford ROC (rail operating centre), operates 24/7. It is dominated by rows of screens, the largest showing the entire 60-mile line and all 41 stations.

On another wall is a live CCTV feed from each of the 10 new central London stations. The system is so advanced that the entire line can be “run” by a single signaller, or “fat controller”.

Read more about what it’s like to step inside the mission control room for the Elizabeth line here.

Re-cap: Pictures of the new Elizabeth line opening

11:30 , Elly Blake

Canary Wharf Group says Elizabeth line is ‘transformative’ for area

11:51 , Elly Blake

The chief executive of Canary Wharf Group has said the Elizabeth line will bring businesses to the area.

Shobi Khan called the move a “transformative day for Canary Wharf” in Tower Hamlets.

He said he “couldn’t be more excited” about the new transport links.

Mr Khan continued: “When the DLR opened in 1991, it was the first rail connection to Canary Wharf. The Jubilee line followed in 1999. Both were huge moments for us and for all of east London.“As important as those moments were, the launch of the Elizabeth line is even bigger.“All Londoners and every visitor will benefit. The new line transforms connectivity and brings us all closer together.”

He also said it would boost retail in the area.

Mr Khan added: “Here in Canary Wharf, the new Elizabeth line station is already a vital hub in our community with its collection of fantastic restaurants and its innovative roof garden.

“More retail is set to open on the station’s first floor soon, and it will serve as a fantastic gateway to Canary Wharf for decades to come.”

Over 100k journeys have already taken place on Elizabeth Line

12:11 , Daniel Keane

Over 100,000 journeys have already taken place on the Elizabeth Line since its opening at 6.30am today, according to the latest TfL statistics.

This morning up until 10am, an estimated 130,000 journeys took place across the Elizabeth line, which runs between Reading, Heathrow, Abbey Wood and Shenfield.

Of these, around half involved the new central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood.

The new Paddington Elizabeth line station has already seen 14,000 entries and exits up until 10am, Tfl said.

And the new Canary Wharf Elizabeth line station has already seen 9,000 entries and exits up until 10am.

Watch: Sadiq Khan rides the new Elizabeth Line train with Ross Lydall

12:44 , Daniel Keane

Elizabeth line: Key facts

13:56 , Elly Blake

The Elizabeth line has finally opened.

Here are some key numbers for London’s new railway:

How much did it cost?

The National Audit Office estimated the final cost for the Crossrail project to build the railway will be £18.9 billion.

How long was the delay in opening?

Three and a half years.

How long is the railway?

The entire line stretches for more than 60 miles, including a pair of tunnels each 13 miles long under London.

How many stations does it have?

41, including 10 new ones.

What is the increase in central London’s rail capacity?

10 per cent.

How long are the trains?

They are 200 metres long, with nine carriages.

How many passengers can each train hold?

Up to 1,500.

How many people are expected to use the Elizabeth line?

Annual passenger numbers are estimated to reach 170 million by 2026.

Greenwich councillors welcome the Elizabeth line

15:14 , Elly Blake

To mark the opening of the Elizabeth line, Greenwich councillors put on an event at Woolwich Works including the National Youth Jazz Orcehstra and carnival dancers from Taru Arts to mark the occasion.

Council leader, Danny Thorpe, said: ““It is fantastic to see Elizabeth line services starting today, bringing more efficient, accessible, high quality public transport options to Abbey Wood and Woolwich.

“We lobbied for the line to come to Woolwich because we knew it would provide our residents and businesses with a wealth of valuable opportunities.

“This is a game-changer for Royal Greenwich, offering access to a potential 1.2 million jobs within a 45-minute commute and helping to encourage further investment in Woolwich town centre.”

Meanwhile, leader elect, Cllr Anthony Okereke, said: "The Elizabeth line is a crucial step in the transformation of Woolwich and it is amazing to see this ambitious project become a reality.

“I’ve lived in Woolwich my whole life; this is a genuinely exciting time to become Leader and see the next chapter in Woolwich’s history beginning.”

Disability group write open letter to Sadiq Khan

16:08 , Barney Davis

Crossrail has been praised for its accessibility offering four wheelchair spaces on each train and induction loops at every station on its innovative services.

Now campaigners The Disability Policy Group have written an open letter to the Mayor of London asking him to build on that work and expand the Disabled Persons Freedom Passes to be used on all other tube lines at any time of day.

Labour MP claims success for Crossrail opening

16:50 , Barney Davis

Tottenham MP David Lammy has hailed Crossrail as a Labour success story...

Nearly 2km long mural unveiled alongside Crossrail in Newham

17:46 , Barney Davis

Sonia Boyce’s 1.9 km mural that runs parallel to the Crossrail track ‘Newham Trackside Wall’ has also been unveiled.

The mural contains quotes, memories, soundbites, recollections and images from 170 local people, about the area and their memories of it.

One section of the mural was torn down after resident’s spotted a quote saying “the only negative thing” about the area is the rising number of murders.

“This is unfortunate, but everything else is fine,” the poem continues.

Tube suffers meltdown despite Crossrail opening

18:12 , Michael Howie

Six tube lines are experiencing part closures, with minor and severe delays, on Crossrail opening day.

Woolwich locals say the Elizabeth line will change the area for good

19:51 , Michael Howie

Charlie Hampshire, who lives minutes from the new Woolwich station, said it could help promote the area to outsiders.

She said: “It looks great and although everyone says it’s taken forever [to open], better late than never to be honest.

“It opens up the Woolwich arts district more and for me it’s easier as I can commute into town. I think it’s really good and there’s so much stuff around this area, which is why I love it.”

Train fanatic Nick, who did not give a second name, was equally excited. He said: “It’s such a massive feat, unbelievable what they’ve done. I don’t think people will ever quite fully appreciate what’s been involved, unfortunately it’s the delays that people will remember.

“But for us getting into Heathrow in under an hour, getting into central London in 20-25 minutes. It’s going to be brilliant. DLR is great but this is going to be another level.”