London is paying tribute to the Queen by naming its newest underground railway after her, it was revealed today. The Crosssrail project, which cost £16bn, will be known as the Elizabeth line when it’s done and opened in 2018. London mayor Boris Johnson made the announcement during an official visit by The Queen to a Crossrail site at Bond Street.
“Crossrail is already proving a huge success for the UK economy, and as we move closer to bringing this transformative new railway into service, I think it’s truly wonderful that such a significant line for our capital, will carry such a significant name from our country.As well as radically improving travel right across our city, the Elizabeth line will provide a lasting tribute to our longest serving monarch.” said Boris Johnson, London Mayor.
Crossrail will link Shenfield in Essex and Reading in Berkshire with additional Spurs to Heathrow Airport, Canary Wharf and Abbey Wood in Kent.
The Queen dressed in regal purple for the visit for the equally purple themed Elizabeth line. She unveiled the roundel together with Boris Johnson after a short speech by him. She also made the 26m descent underground to see the ongoing building of the ticket halls that are expected to see over 220,000 people pass through them when the project is completed.
The Elizabeth Line won’t be the first underground railway in London to be named after a monarch. The Victoria Line, which runs from Brixton to Walthamstow was opened in 1968. The Queen became the first reigning monarch to travel on the London underground when she opened the Victoria line. After the ceremony, she bought a 5d ticket and travelled to Green Park. The Jubilee Line from Stanmore to Charing Cross was not directly named for a monarch but was renamed from the Fleet Line in 1979 in honour of the Queen’s 1977 silver jubilee.
You can read more about the Elizabeth Line and the Queen’s visit here.
