Crawford takes up the newly created role of Chief Programme Officer to “take on an overarching responsibility for the end to end delivery of the Elizabeth line.”

Crossrail said: “Jim Crawford will be accountable for the entire programme from now through to Trial Running and on to the full opening of the end to end Elizabeth line.”

Crawford left his £400,000 post at HS2 last year after joining in 2014. During that period he held two senior roles: Managing Director – Construction and Managing Director – Phase One Programme.

Crossrail’s Mark Cooper takes on the new role of Chief Projects Officer and will “oversee completion of the remaining works and assurance of the assets and will drive forward the activities required for the start of Trial Running.”

Mark Wild, Chief Executive, Crossrail Ltd said: “The key focus for everyone on the Crossrail project is commencing intensive operational testing of the Elizabeth line as soon as we can in 2020 to enable passenger service as early as possible in 2021.

“Entering Trial Running requires the project to transition from construction into an operational railway, this is a complex change and we need to have the right leadership team for this critical final phase.

“Jim Crawford has been appointed as Chief Programme Officer to oversee our remaining programme including the intensive railway testing and commissioning phase.

“I’m delighted to welcome Jim Crawford to the Crossrail project who brings a wealth of major rail commissioning experience including with Network Rail’s Thameslink Upgrade.”