Recommendation 7

Crossrail Ltd is constructing stations along the central section which are then handed over to the eventual infrastructure maintainer - Rail for London Infrastructure (RfLi) or London Underground. TfL told us that completing the stations is on the critical path to opening the central section to passengers.14 Crossrail Ltd told us that five of the nine central section stations have now been handed over, and that Paddington and Whitechapel would be handed over in the summer.15 Crossrail Ltd told us that Canary Wharf and Bond Street will be the final stations to be handed over.16 The NAO reported that Crossrail Ltd expects all stations, except Bond Street, to be handed over before Trial Operations begins. Bond Street will instead be completed to a safety standard that will allow Trial Operations to start. The NAO report also highlighted a risk that Bond Street may not be ready for the start of passenger services.17