Start of final Crossrail trials in London raises hope of early 2022 opening

Volunteer passengers will be aboard central TfL section of Elizabeth line as part of final testing phase

Hopes that Crossrail will open in central London in early 2022 - this time on schedule - have been boosted as the troubled 19bn scheme moved into its final phase of testing at the weekend.

The start of months of trial operations, which will involve thousands of volunteer passengers to test how the system will function, including in emergencies, was described as a significant milestone" by Transport for London and the mayor.