Elizabeth line map and stop details as TfL begins full timetable including direct Essex to Heathrow trains

Direct rail links between Essex and Heathrow Airport have begun to operate for the first time as London's Elizabeth line becomes fully operational.

Passengers can now travel from Shenfield, in Essex, to the airport west of London without having to change trains after Transport for London started running a full timetable on the year-old cross-city line. A total of six trains per hour run to the airport, along with an increase in frequency to a number of other services.

The new timetable went live on 21 May, increasing peak time frequencies from 22 to 24 trains per hour between Paddington and Whitechapel. Trains will run around every two and a half minutes under central London during peak hours - which will also be extended - while 16 trains per hour will operate at off-peak times. 

Two direct services now run between Shenfield and Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 every hour, alongside four hourly trains which run to Heathrow Terminal 4. 

Trains also run every five minutes between Canary Wharf and Abbey Wood at peak times as the service frequency is restored to levels that were in place May and November 2022. There are more services at peak time between Liverpool Street National Rail station and Gidea Park, and an increase in peak services from Reading. As part of this, some trains that were previously operated by Great Western Railway have become Elizabeth line services with reduced stops. 

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the new line was now the most popular railway in the coutry. He commented: "An incredible 3.5 million journeys are made a week, as passengers enjoy the modern trains, beautiful step-free stations and reduced journey times.

“The Elizabeth line is the most significant addition to our transport network in decades and has proven to be much more than just a new railway – providing a crucial economic boost to the whole country and playing a vital role in drawing people back on to London’s public transport.

“The introduction of the final full timetable marks the completion of the Crossrail project, and I’m delighted that passengers will have even more frequent services to get them across the capital and beyond.”

The announcement comes as TfL revealed that around 600,000 people use the Elizabeth line every weekday and more than 140 million journeys have been taken since it opened last May.

Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner, said: "The Elizabeth line has transformed the lives of Londoners and the experience for visitors to the city in just under a year of TfL operating the service. 

“With this new timetable, those travelling through central London will have a train arriving around every two and a half minutes, those using Heathrow Airport will have more regular services, and time will be shaved off many journeys from Reading, Heathrow and into central London. Those on the east will also benefit from twice hourly services to the airport, linking Essex and west London on the line for the first time." 

A planned strike due to affect the Elizabeth line appears to have been averted after a new pay offer was made to workers on the route.

Elizabeth line workers had planned strike action on its one-year anniversary on May 24, but the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) said it has received a revised proposal from Rail for London Infrastructure and will now consult members.