Abbey Wood’s new station is starting to take shape, with the distinctive timber structure of its roof now complete.

The iconic shape of the roof was constructed using a combination of 31 tonnes of steel beams and girders to support the load of the timber beams.

A new councourse, the size of six tennis courts, has now been built.

The station building is expected to be completed by autumn next year, ahead of the official opening of the Elizabeth line in 2018.

Matthew Steele, Crossrail programme director at Network Rail said: "We are really proud of the progress being made on the new station and railway infrastructure at Abbey Wood.

“Once the Elizabeth line opens in 2018, it will transform journeys for passengers in the area. In the meantime I would like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience whilst the construction work is underway."

Southeastern services are expected to start running through the station in late 2017.

And Elizabeth line services will begin in December 2018, when journey times to a number of central London destinations will be cut in half.

The route will pass through 40 stations from Reading and Heathrow in the west, through new tunnels to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

Councillor Teresa O’Neill, leader Bexley council, said: “The new Elizabeth line station at Abbey Wood is set to become an iconic local landmark that will highlight the exciting new opportunities that are on offer in our part of the capital.

“Improved transport infrastructure is key to unlocking the new development that Bexley and London need.”