Transport secretary Chris Grayling attached final rail clips on London’s newest line, which will begin operation in December 2019

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The installation of the final piece of permanent Crossrail track is a “hugely significant milestone”, Chris Grayling said.

The transport secretary attached the last rail clips on the new track for London’s £14.8bn Elizabeth line at a ceremony 35 metres below ground at Whitechapel station.

Trains will run from December next year, with a full service linking Reading and Heathrow in the west with Essex in the east beginning operation in December 2019.

Grayling said: “The Elizabeth line will transform rail transport in London with better and faster journeys for passengers, and the official completion of the track is a hugely significant milestone towards delivering this scheme on time and within available funding.

“But this isn’t just a success story for London. Crossrail, Europe’s biggest construction project, has created jobs and driven economic growth across the UK with companies based here winning 96% of the scheme’s contracts.”

More than 1,000 workers have installed almost 32 miles of new track.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “The completion of the Elizabeth line track is a huge milestone on the way to finishing a project that will transform transport across London and the south east.

“With brand new trains and step-free stations, the Elizabeth line will provide a truly world-class service for passengers, and this important landmark is testament to the hard work and expertise of all the men and women who have been working on the project.”