If we’re talking human years, the Elizabeth line is barely a toddler, having only been open since May 2022. And yet, there are already talks to extend the handy purple line that runs in and out of London even further. They grow up so fast, don’t they?
According to transport expert IanVisits, there are early discussions taking place for future Elizabeth line stations to arrive on the outskirts of the city.
Where could the Elizabeth line be extended to?
Discussion is centred around what happens when HS2 opens and leads to a heavier demand on the Elizabeth line for passengers changing at Old Oak Common onto the service. TfL is in talks to reduce stress on the line when the temporary HS2 terminus is due to open (2030), and is in talks with the government to secure funding for new tracks to ease this congestion.
This could lead to the frequency of trains in the central part of the line being upped from 24 to 30 per hour at peak times. On top of this, research is being carried out into an extension that goes past Abbey Wood in the eastern section of the line and into Ebbsfleet.
There is also talk of creating a new link using the current stops, one that would jump from Langley to Heathrow and decrease congestion further into the centre for those alighting towards the airport at Hayes & Harlington.
Another idea that has been floated is to combine with the proposed Southern Rail Link and create an Elizabeth line terminus at Staines.
At this point, nothing is concrete and, as with any proposal, is dependent on funding. According to IanVisits, councils along the routes of the proposed extensions have been looking into how they can create a case for funding for the new line(s) to be built.