Laura Reynolds

A New Crossrail Documentary Airs This Weekend, Looking At Where It All Went Wrong

Crossrail, as we all know, has not been the roaring success those in charge of it had hoped for. In fact, we're unlikely to be riding those elusive purple trains until 2021, over two years after the railway was due to open. Where did it all go wrong?

A new documentary, airing this Saturday (3 August), takes a deep-dive into this question, focusing on the lengthy delays and ever-increasing budget of the project.

Crossrail: Where Did It All Go Wrong? features interviews with construction workers formerly involved in the project, politicians, and transport experts. Christian Wolmar — who has written a book on Crossrail — and Lord Adonis, who was critical of Crossrail as far back as 2015, both offer their thoughts on the project's failings.

Everyday Londoners who were expecting to reap the benefits of Crossrail by now are also featured in the programme.

Crossrail: Where Did It All Go Wrong? airs on Saturday 3 August at 8pm on Channel 5.