Transforming a city. Improving lives.

What can a new transport network offer a city or region? For decades, this complex question has been guiding our work with our clients, including the many involved in delivering London’s Elizabeth line. Since opening in 2022, the Elizabeth line has become a vital new artery driving socio-economic growth, transforming people’s daily lives and opening up new opportunities for those working and living in one Europe’s largest cities. It’s unlocked employment, earnings, population growth, and development around the stations.

And that’s not just hype; we now have the data to prove it. Our new analysis reveals valuable insights into the far-reaching social, economic and environmental impacts of the Elizabeth line. Importantly, this in-depth, collaborative study has created a blueprint for assessing the value of major transport projects worldwide.

Evidencing the value of the Elizabeth line

Driven by the ambition of our clients – Transport for London (TfL) and the UK Department for Transport (DfT) – to fully understand the impact of the new infrastructure and demonstrate the value of the scale of investment that was made, we worked together to develop a first-of-its-kind assessment framework and analytics system, comparing pre- and post-opening data.

Published in 2025, two and a half years after the line opened, the Elizabeth line post-opening evaluation: transport outcomes, interim findings report has shown that the new line has unlocked employment, earnings, population growth, and development in the areas surrounding the stations. Over 90% of Elizabeth line passengers say it has improved their local area, underscoring its role as a force for urban renewal. Tens of thousands of homes have been built within 1km of stations, and London’s employment landscape has shifted significantly, with job opportunities rising within 500m of key stations.

Separate analysis by TfL 16 months after opening, showed that 38% of demand on the Elizabeth line was from a combination of trips that would have otherwise been carried out on other modes, predominantly other rail alternatives, but also bus, road and active travel.

We continue to work with TfL and DfT on post-opening evaluation, ensuring that the lessons learned from the Elizabeth line can inform future metro projects worldwide, helping cities across the globe build the case for critical transport investments.

From vision to reality

Every transformational project starts with a bold idea. Arup started laying the groundwork for what has become the Elizabeth line in the late 1980s, providing the UK government with critical advice on the need for a high-capacity rail solution to relieve congestion and support London’s long-term economic growth. Our studies helped shape the strategic case for the railway, ensuring that it was positioned as a catalyst for transformation rather than just a transport project. As early as 2003, we were exploring funding models, including property development above stations, which played a key role in financing the project. Our involvement ensured that the Elizabeth line wasn’t just about delivering a railway – it was about designing a long-term solution that would futureproof London’s infrastructure, support sustainable development, and connect people to new opportunities. By blending innovative engineering with a clear strategic vision, we helped deliver a transport network that is allowing the city to reimagine its future.

Engineering a world-class metro

Beneath the city’s streets, the Elizabeth line is a feat of engineering excellence. Arup, working in joint venture with a number of other companies, played a pivotal role in designing the system, from multi-disciplinary station design to tunnelling, infrastructure, and station fit-out.

Tunnelling through one of the world’s most complex urban environments required precision and ingenuity. We assessed over 4,000 buildings along the route, developing predictive models to anticipate and mitigate potential impacts. In areas like Soho and the Barbican, we engineered floating track slabs to minimise vibrations while ensuring safety and operational efficiency.

At Tottenham Court Road, the team navigated an intricate underground landscape, threading new tunnels above the Northern line and beneath escalators with just 700mm of clearance — demonstrating cutting-edge spatial planning and engineering expertise. This ability to weave new infrastructure into a dense and historic urban fabric showcases the scale of technical expertise needed to bring the project to life.

Arup also played a vital role in managing the environmental and heritage impact of the project. We developed the Environmental Management System to oversee sustainability performance at the stations, ensuring environmental considerations were embedded into design and construction. Our team also secured heritage consents to protect historic buildings along the route, balancing modern infrastructure delivery with London’s rich architectural legacy.

Working with world-renowned architects, we supported engineering design on six of the 10 new central London stations to enable the successful delivery of the architectural vision. We had to overcome complex challenges. This included building a world-class station and commercial development from 18m deep within Canary Wharf dock waters to reshaping the streetscape and station orientation at Tottenham Court Road to deliver the optimal pedestrian experience and maximise the retail opportunities. The design of the 10 new stations was recognised with the prestigious 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize, celebrating their architectural excellence and seamless integration into London’s urban landscape.

Beyond engineering, we supported the project’s technical approvals, working closely with stakeholders to align infrastructure with the city’s existing and future needs. Our experience in geotechnics, environmental planning, and risk assessment enabled us to anticipate and solve complex challenges before they could impact delivery.

A network that powers growth

The Elizabeth line was designed not just to move people, but to shape a better future for the UK capital. Its new stations were carefully planned to integrate seamlessly with their surroundings, function effectively for passengers and pedestrians, and act as catalysts for commercial development. Arup secured critical design consents and ensured that station designs supported future over-site development, unlocking long-term economic and social value.

By embedding transport within urban growth strategies, the line has driven investment and created new commercial, residential, and cultural hubs. Arup has collaborated with developers such as Canary Wharf Group, Derwent London, and Grosvenor Estates to deliver mixed-use developments that capitalise on the Elizabeth line’s unparalleled connectivity. The results speak for themselves — 60% of London’s employment growth between 2015 and 2022 occurred within 1km of an Elizabeth line station.

Beyond the economic impact, the line has also improved quality of life for thousands of Londoners. Many now have better access to jobs and essential services, and areas once considered difficult to reach have become thriving hubs of activity. The Elizabeth line has changed not just how people travel, but how and where they choose to live and work.

Ensuring a seamless launch

A transport system of this scale requires more than just great engineering — it demands meticulous planning to ensure a smooth transition from construction to live operation. Arup played a critical role in operational readiness (ORAT), supporting TfL and Crossrail Ltd in preparing for service launch.

In all, we delivered 508 training sessions, stress-tested more than 100 operational scenarios — including complex signalling failures and mass evacuations — and conducted five large-scale passenger simulations. Our data-driven approach enabled TfL to refine operations, address technical challenges, and build confidence in the system’s resilience.

By simulating real-world challenges before the first passengers stepped onboard, we helped ensure that the Elizabeth line would deliver not only a seamless launch but also sustained reliability and efficiency in daily operations.

Impact to inspire future cities

It’s difficult now to imagine London without the Elizabeth line. In the years since it opened, it has proved to be far more than just a landmark piece of civil engineering. It has become an artery for socio-economic growth that has transformed lives and opportunities for people in one of the world’s great cities.

By reimagining what’s possible in rail infrastructure, the Elizabeth line has set a new standard for efficiency, connectivity and urban regeneration. It proves that when transport is designed with ambition, expertise and collaboration, it doesn’t just move people — it unlocks the full potential of a city.

Since beginning operations, the Elizabeth line has opened eyes to the way London can move, work and grow. More than just a railway, it’s a blueprint for transport-led transformation — one that will inspire cities worldwide to reimagine the possibilities that transport infrastructure can deliver.