Most of the Elizabeth line to close for entire weekend

TfL has said that most of the Elizabeth line will be closed for an entire weekend. This will be later this week and at the beginning of next week - between March 29 and April 1.

The capital's flagship £19 billion railway line runs from Reading and Heathrow Airport in the west, through the centre of London, and then out the other side of the capital to Shenfield and Abbey Wood.

Line to the west of Paddington is operated by Network Rail and not TfL. This section will remain in operation - but there's a catch.

READ MORE: Full list of TfL Easter closures as Elizabeth line, DLR and Overground disrupted

TfL says services will not run through the line's central section, from Paddington to Abbey Wood and Shenfield. A reduced service will operate between Paddington and Maidenhead/Heathrow Terminal 4.

Westbound services from Shenfield will terminate at London Liverpool Street National Rail station, above ground, and will not be stopping at Whitechapel station. This is, officials say, to allow for signalling software updates, which will 'result in fewer delays and more reliable journeys'.

'Accelerated performance improvement plan' to improve services

This comes after Network Rail announced in February an 'accelerated performance improvement plan' to address issues affecting the Elizabeth Line west of Paddington. Work to 'stabilise' the issues that have led to cancellations and delays - including passengers being left stuck in trains 'for hours' in December - will take place over the next six months, as well as line in the Thames Valley, officials say.

City Hall says the following 12 months will see 'longer term improvements' to the network as engineers tackle the 'key causes of disruption'. This will be followed by work towards 'sustaining and renewing the network'.

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