Crossrail Ltd has revealed photographs showing progress at Bond Street.

The photos show elevators in place, most of the cladding now installed and platform finishes such as signs nearing completion.

The station has long been labelled as one of the more problematic sections of the project.

In February a Crossrail source said that, while testing and commissioning had begun at most central London stations, there was “a lot more work to do” at Bond Street.

At the time, the source told New Civil Engineer that the main ticket item left to finish was the installation of two tunnel ventilation fans.

Tunnelling at the station was completed on schedule, but erecting internal structures, such as floor slabs, took much longer than expected, delaying the start of the final mechanical and electrical and fit-out work.

Bond Street’s location at the heart of London’s congested West End has also been a hindrance.

“Bond Street is in a difficult area, it is a difficult location to get to,” the source said. “You can’t have vans parked outside, everything has to come straight in on time. It is difficult enough to get down to the site itself.”

Consequently, Crossrail Ltd had suggested that Bond Street would be left out of opening of the Elizabeth Line's central section.

However, the company has now said that a "corner has been turned".

Speaking at the Rail Industry Association annual conference in November, Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild referred to Bond Street as one of the line’s “more difficult” stations.

Crossrail’s end of year update, issued on Tuesday, confirmed that the central section remains on track to be substantially complete by the end of the first quarter next year. Full testing of the railway will begin at the earliest opportunity in 2020.

Wild said: “The Crossrail project has made significant progress during 2019 with many of the stations now nearing completion and fit-out of the tunnels almost complete.

"We know we have much to do to win back the trust of Londoners but all our focus is on ensuring we deliver a railway that is safe, reliable and exceptional. I hope it will give the reassurance needed that this railway is now firmly back on track and will open as soon as practically possible in 2021."

Work on Bond Street Station is being carried out by a Costain Skanska joint venture (CSJV).

A CSJV spokesperson said: "We are pleased to be making progress and focused on completing the remaining work associated with the project."

Like what you've read? To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here.