A NEW leadership team has outlined its vision to complete the Elizabeth Line, following continued delays to the Crossrail project.

Once it is completed, the new rail link will run from Reading in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.

Originally scheduled for completion in December 2018, it was recently revealed that the scheme may be delayed until 2021.

Crossrail Ltd has identified a six-month delivery window - with a midpoint at the end of 2020 - and hopes to be able to provide 'increasing certainty' about the development.

Tony Meggs, chairman of Crossrail Ltd, said: “Both the Crossrail Board and leadership team fully recognise the seriousness of the challenges we face.

"An enhanced governance structure has been put in place to strengthen the Crossrail programme. The Crossrail Board will be holding the leadership team to account as they work to complete the railway.

"We will be open and transparent about our progress and will be providing regular updates as we seek to rebuild trust with all our stakeholders.”

The scale of the potential delays was reported after an influential group of MPs demanded the project's failures are explained by the Government.

Passengers had not been told the root causes for the railway being delayed and over budget, a report by the Commons' Public Accounts Committee stated.

There are four major tasks still to be completed, including the building and testing of station systems.

When all outstanding work has been finalised, a trial run will be conducted over many thousands of miles to address any problems are eliminated.

Mark Wild, chief executive of Crossrail Ltd, added: “Crossrail is an immensely complex project and there will be challenges ahead, particularly with the testing of the train and signalling systems.

"But the Elizabeth line is going to be incredible for London and really will be worth the wait.

"This new plan will get us there and allow this fantastic new railway to open around the end of next year.”

Crossrail expects the remaining fit-out and systems installation in the stations and tunnels will be completed this year.