All change at Paddington for new Crossrail station

Commuters face two years of disruption when work gets under way on a new Crossrail station at Paddington.

Bus, taxi and pedestrian routes into and around the area will be affected by the excavation of Eastbourne Terrace from next month.

Transport for London defended the decision to completely close the road saying: "A full closure will cut the time taken to construct the station by two years compared with a partial closure, and will reduce the overall impact on commuters, businesses and residents."

TfL has said Crossrail will significantly reduce journey times between Paddington and the West End, City and Docklands. It estimates that when all the work is completed in 2018 it will see a 10 per cent increase in London's rail network capacity.

Crossrail programme director Andy Mitchell, said: "Once complete, Crossrail will cut journey times across London as well as creating new journey opportunities. It's vital that the impact of Crossrail's construction on central London is kept to a minimum."

A new covered taxi rank will open next to the Hammersmith & City line Underground station. Escalators and lifts up to the taxi rank can be reached from the mainline station concourse on platform 12. Access will also be available by walking along platforms 1, 8 or 9 and up the steps to the footbridge.

Walking routes in and out of the mainline station will also change. Access will be through the rebuilt station entrance by the Grand Union Canal and through the existing entrances on either side of the Hilton Hotel. There may also be additional short-term road alterations and traffic diversions.

Kay Buxton, Chief Executive, Paddington Waterside Partnership, said: "The Paddington area has changed beyond recognition and is now one of the fastest growing business and residential areas in the capital. The new Crossrail station at Paddington will deliver improved and direct transport connections to the west and east of the capital as well as with London's other major employment centres."