FIVE more trains have been ordered by Transport for London for the Elizabeth Line, taking the total size of the future fleet to 70.

Bombardier said the contract for the extra trains, which will be built in Derby, is worth  approximately £73 million.

Mark Wild, managing director at TfL for London Underground and the Elizabeth Line, said: “The opening of the Elizabeth line in December will redefine transport in London with journeys made easier and trains passing through brand new tunnels beneath central London to new, accessible stations. The additional trains will allow us to serve all the terminals at Heathrow and provide an increased frequency when the line is fully open in December 2019.”

Bombardier UK managing director Richard Hunter said: “This important additional order is an endorsement of our workforce and the quality of the products we design, engineer, manufacture and service in the UK.”

The 45 additional vehicles will be formed into five 9-car units, taking the total of vehicles to 630. The extra trains, due into service by the end of next year, will used to increase capacity on the central section and also help the extensions of services to Reading and Heathrow Terminal 5.