Crossrail has completed the construction of an emergency shaft nine months earlier than expected.

The access point will become a future ventilation point for the underground rail system but  it will also be used to support work underneath Holborn's Red Lion Square, due start next year.

This is an important part of the Crossrail network, involving some of the scheme's largest caverns and a crossover section for trains to change tunnels.

It also marks another milestone in the ongoing development. Last month it announced building work had finished on a 6.8 km tunnel, running from Farringdon to Royal Oak.

UK Power Networks was previously involved with the project, as it needed to relocate substation equipment before the 1,000 tonne boring machines could pass underneath.

The 30,000 sq ft area around the shaft entrance will be converted into housing after the rail project is finished and approval has already been granted from Camden Council.

Overall, around 7000 m cb of material was removed during the 15 m wide shaft's excavation.