Crossrail is
facing major signal problems which could prevent any trains from being
allowed to run when the line's due to open in 2018.
The
South-East's £15billion new railway is on course for humiliation as
engineers admitted the complex signal issues may not be resolved in the
next three years.
A
source inside the project claimed it was still likely that Crossrail
would open, with reduced services, but suggested said it was also
possible that no trains would be running at all in 2018.
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| Crossrail Map click to enlarge |
Crossrail will adopt both traditional metro signalling and modern high-tech systems to
connect trains on the 26 miles of new tracks underneath London to
existing major cross-country rail lines.
As
it stands, engineers are struggling to create 'interfaces' - meaning
the trains are unable to shift smoothly from the orthodox Metro system
to the state of the art system used once outside central London.
Crossrail's chairman, Terry Morgan, conceded that a 'mitigation plan' was being put in place.
The admission confirms the worry that signalling on the 73-mile Berkshire-to-Essex link won't work properly by 2018.
A
source who has recently worked on Crossrail told The Independent: 'The
most likely scenario is that Crossrail will open with a significantly
reduced service.'
A
second source said: 'In the extreme you wouldn't be able to run any
trains. Signalling technology in this industry is something that has
challenged everybody for a very, very long time.'
A
huge part of Crossrail equates to a a new underground system, running
through busy Tube stations such as Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool
Street.
But
Network Rail, the government-backed body in charge of the country's
most important train tracks, is hoping to introduce a highly complex
signalling system across the lines, which will connect with Crossrail.
This will
feature technology akin to GPS, providing pinpoint accuracy on the
location of a train - so that more than one can stop and start on any
single section of the line without the danger of a crash.
The
ability to locate the exact position of trains should make it easier
to manage and increase the flow of Crossrail trains into London.
Crossrail,
Europe's biggest construction project, is initially scheduled to run 24
trains per hour during peak periods, and it is hoped this will increase
to 30.
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| Above & below. Eastbourne Terrace which runs alongside Paddington, has been closed to all traffic except buses, to allow construction of Crossrail. |
The major issue facing Crossrail is to the west of London, once the track passes through Paddington station.
Industry
experts suggest the issue was frustrated by Network Rail separately
launching its own 'digital railway' programme last year.
This
meant introducing advanced technology - such as software that
accurately forecasts temperature and rainfall across the UK's major
lines.
Crossrail has so far involved more than 10,000 construction workers across 40 sites and up to now encountered few problems.
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| Eastbourne Terrace showing the course that the new railway will take |
