01-06-2025
How Abbey Wood has - or hasn't - changed with three years of the Elizabeth line
Ahead of the opening of the Elizabeth line in 2022, the people of Abbey Wood were promised that the new railway would spark regeneration in the area.
Three years on, the News Shopper visited the south east London town to see what, if anything, had changed.
Abbey Wood station was completely rebuilt in 2017, offering a modern, sleek gateway to central London.
At that time, it would take just under an hour to reach most destinations in the heart of the capital on suburban railway routes.
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Abbey Wood station was rebuilt in 2017 (Image: Newsquest)
Now, passengers boarding an Elizabeth line train at Abbey Wood can be in Tottenham Court Road in half that time.
Among those taking advantage of the route today (May 29), were four pensioners from the Women's Institute.
They spoke to the News Shopper before setting off on a day trip to Horniman Museum in Dulwich.
'It's brilliant,' said Patricia Moriarty. 'We don't use it particularly because none of us work now, we're all retired.
'But so many people use the line now. I just wish it had been here when I was working.'
An Elizabeth line train at Abbey Wood station (Image: Newsquest)
Transport for London (TfL) has said that since 2022, Abbey Wood has emerged as one of the 'largest regeneration areas in London', with a six per cent increase in new homes.
But Ms Moriarty said that although thousands of new homes are being built in neighbouring Thamesmead, there had not been much noticeable development in Abbey Wood.
'There's not lots of new shops yet, but I think that's coming,' she added.
Next to the station, lies the sleepy shopping parade in Wilton Road. At 9am, some stores still had their shutters down and only a handful of people were walking down the street.
The shopping parade in Wilton Road (Image: Newsquest)
But one unit open for business was Abbey Wood Dry Cleaners, which first opened 43 years ago.
Owner Farooq Ahmed said that despite the quiet street scene that morning, business had been good over the last three years.
'It's getting busy - new people are coming to live in Abbey Wood, so we're getting new customers,' he explained.
'Canary Wharf is only ten minutes away now, and it's cheaper here than the City. That's why people are moving here.'
Farooq Ahmed, owner of Abbey Wood Dry Cleaners (Image: Newsquest)
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He added that while he welcomed the increased footfall, rental prices in the area, including for his own shop, had gone up as a result of the influx of new people.
According to Rightmove, the average house price has also risen by seven per cent over the last three years, from £384,000 in 2022 to £411,000.
'The rent is going up, that's the only issue we have with the Elizabeth line,' Mr Ahmed said.
'Everything has gone up, but new customers hopefully cover it up.'
