The Elizabeth Line Effect: three years of putting Reading on the map
23rd May 2025
The Elizabeth Line celebrates its third anniversary this Saturday 24 May. As the western terminus of the line, Reading has been reaping economic benefits from the new transport route since the proposal, known as Crossrail, was first announced some 20+ years ago.
Since it opened in 2022, the Elizabeth Line has helped make Reading a magnet for new jobs, relocating businesses, housing investment and attracting a talented workforce, cementing Reading’s place as an international business hub.
As the final stop at the western end of the line, Reading has benefited from the seamless connections the ‘Lizzie Line’ provides to the West End, the City of London and Docklands, physically putting Reading on the tube map and bolstering the perception of Reading as a business location that is easy to reach and do business with.
The multi-million pound investment that has created Station Hill in Reading is based in part on Reading’s great connectivity to London and Heathrow. PWC will be among the first tenants to move into the landmark development this summer. Gareth Murfitt, Reading Senior Partner at PwC, said: “As one of the fastest-growing urban centre economies, with improved infrastructure, the arrival of the Elizabeth Line and updated railway networks, Reading is becoming increasingly attractive for investment.”
Steve Jude, CEO of NewFlex, who are joining PwC at One Station Hill, said; “Reading is one of the fastest-growing urban economies in the UK, bolstered by the strong impact of the Elizabeth Line and the rapid link this provides to London.” PepsiCo will also be joining them, choosing to move their HQ closer to Reading Station to take advantage of the improved connectivity.
World-leading companies compete for the best talent. The Elizabeth Line has attracted thousands of skilled workers to relocate to Reading and has driven the huge investment in housing that rings the station. Thousands of new homes are coming online for these employees within 500 metres of the Elizabeth Line station. Many of these homes are being bought or rented by people who are looking for a better work-life balance in Reading but still need excellent connections to London.
The Reading tourism economy is also seeing the benefit of the Elizabeth Line. Reading’s Welcome Ambassadors at the station are providing visitor information to lots of people coming out of London to see the destination that is at the end of the line. On REDA’s website, visit-reading.com, the Elizabeth Line page is the 4th most visited page with more than 16,000 page views in the last year.
Key Elizabeth Line stats:-
- In its three years of operation, the Elizabeth line has transported customers 21.5 million miles, enough for around 45 round trips to the moon.
- It now regularly sees up to 800,000 passenger journeys in a day.
- More than 600 million passenger journeys have been made in its first three years, making it the UK’s single busiest railway service.
London Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: "The Elizabeth line exemplifies the benefits that investment in high-quality infrastructure can bring for both London and the country. In just three years, it’s become the single busiest railway in the UK, revolutionising how people travel, connecting communities, powering economic growth and helping to build a more prosperous city for everyone.”
Nigel Horton-Baker, Chief Executive of REDA, said: “The seamless transport link that the Elizabeth Line provides is bolstering Reading’s position as a major commercial destination connected to the UK’s capital and global financial centres, as well as an exciting place to visit thanks to the short travel times and easy access afforded by the Elizabeth Line.“
As the Elizabeth line enters its fourth year, GTS Rail Operations will take over from the previous operator on Sunday 25 May. This is a joint venture between Go-Ahead Group, Tokyo Metro and Sumitomo Corporation with the new contract enabling TfL to build on the success of the Elizabeth line.
