‘It has to be flawless’: long wait for London’s Elizabeth line is nearly over

Our reporter rides the smooth new trains - but transport chief says line will open only when he is certain about reliability

The Elizabeth line must be flawless" before it can officially launch this year, London's transport chief told a press tour on Monday, amid speculation that the 18.9bn Crossrail project's opening could be moved to the spring - before the Queen's jubilee celebrations.

On the first media trip to see the line in action, riding on spacious trains along the tunnels winding from Paddington to Liverpool Street, flaws appeared conspicuously absent. Twelve trains an hour are now running in the central section excavated under the capital, with an official deadline for opening at the end of June.