Aerial images reveal Crossrail’s transformation of east London’s stations

Robin de Peyer Thursday, January 10, 2013
12:46 PM

Stunning aerial images have revealed the marvel of engineering currently transforming east London.

Construction continues on a new Crossrail station at Whitechapel

The pictures provide a birds-eye view of works being undertaken at stations across the East End as part of the Crossrail line linking the east and west fringes of the capital.

The project is set to gather pace throughout 2013 as work continues on stations including Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Stratford and Custom House.

Transport for London claims that the next two years will see the fastest rates of the whole construction programme ahead of its scheduled completion date of 2018.

Crossrail’s chief executive Andrew Wolstenholme said: “These striking new aerial images provide a glimpse of how Crossrail is transforming the London landscape with world-class new stations and transport links.”

Crossrail works being undertaken in Stepney Green

The images were released as tunnelling began on the route from Plumstead from North Woolwich.

“Sophia”, the 110 metre long machine which will create the route under the Thames, was fired into action last week. Named after the wife of Isambard Kingdom Brunel - who masterminded the first tunnel under the Thames - “Sophia” weighs more than 1000 tonnes and will make an average of 100m progress along the route each week.

Mr Wolstenholme added: “The start of tunnelling in southeast London marks another milestone for Crossrail.

“For the first time people living between Abbey Wood and the Royal Docks will be able to travel right through the centre of the capital without having to change trains, bringing Canary Wharf, the West End and Heathrow closer than ever before.”

An aerial shot of the Custom House station