Major Paddington road to shut for two years for Crossrail work

One of Paddington’s busiest roads is set to close for two years from next week to allow for the construction of a new Crossrail station.

Eastbourne Terrace, which runs alongside Paddington Station, will be completely shut to traffic from next Sunday February 12 until early 2014.

The road has been partially closed since last year but it is hoped the move will cut the overall construction time by two years.

A number of residents have voiced concerns about neighbouring roads having to take extra traffic.

All vehicles, including buses and taxis, will be diverted to alternative routes around Paddington. Transport for London will be monitoring the situation closely to “limit disruption and congestion”.

To coincide with the closure, the existing taxi rank in Departures Road will be relocated to the north of the station.

Crossrail programme director Andy Mitchell said: “It’s vital that the impact of Crossrail’s construction on central London is kept to a minimum.

“A full-closure of Eastbourne Terrace will mean that construction of the new station box at Paddington can be completed in two years instead of four years enabling station fit-out to commence and Eastbourne Terrace to be re-opened as soon as possible.”

Paddington Waterside Partnership chief executive Kay Buxton added: “While there will be an impact locally we are clearly focused on the long-term benefits that will be delivered”.