Crossrail to Reading

During the planning stage there was a pretty big fuss created by the freight operating companies as the original act of parliament envisaged Crossrail effectively being given carte-blanche as regards the relief lines were concerned which meant they could have effectively frozen out all freight, at all times of the day if they wished. (Similar concerns also applied as regards freight from Tilbury crossing the GEML relief lines to access the NLL at Stratford, as the 'electric lines' on the GE section were also effectively to be given to Crossrail for their exclusive use)

When the bill was finally put to parliament amendments had been made in this respect because while it pretty much guarantees Crossril sole access to the relief lines on the GWML in the peak (and the 'electric lines' on the GE section), it also ensured that a diveunder to access Acton yard was put in (this was missing from the original plans) plus made a commitment that freight paths would be maintained at current levels in the off peak periods - which is one of the reasons Crossrail has to have different timetables in the peak and off peak.

So basically although you may well see freight operation in the peaks now, this won't be allowed to continue when Crossrail gets going, with any freight you do see today being shifted by a few hours into the off peak period

There is a risk that the extension if left for too long could be canceled due to insufficient capacity on the route- similar to why the Northern line won't be going to Sutton any time soon or the Victoria line going south of Brixton