NETWORK RAIL AWARDS MAJOR CROSSRAIL DESIGN CONTRACT
Wednesday 23 Mar 2011 11:00
Network Rail has awarded a major contract to Atkins Ltd to design the bulk of works planned on the north-east section of the Crossrail route, between Stratford in east London and Shenfield in Essex.
The contract includes the design of station improvements along the 25km (15.5 mile) route at Romford, Ilford, Goodmayes, Forest Gate, Harold Wood, Gidea Park, Chadwell Heath and Brentwood. Platform extensions will allow longer, higher capacity trains to run and step-free access will be provided at the majority of the stations on the route. Other works will include infrastructure improvements, such as extra train stabling capacity and turnback facilities that will improve the reliability of passenger services.
When fully open, Crossrail will provide 12 trains per hour on the Great Eastern Main Line at peak times in each direction between central London and Shenfield.
Robbie Burns, Network Rail programme director, said: “Crossrail is vital for London’s economy, bringing an additional 1.5m people within a 45-minute commute of the capital’s key business districts and improving journeys for many millions more.
“Network Rail is making a multi-billion pound investment to transform the railway so it is ready for Crossrail. Passengers will benefit from more seats, better stations and a more frequent and reliable service.”
Mark Cowlard, managing director of the Rail Solutions business for Atkins, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to help Network Rail complete its Crossrail transformation. The design work we will undertake will be incredibly varied, from the extension of platforms, to the design of new footbridges, to remodelling overhead lines to incorporate the new metro-style services.
“Our multidisciplinary team will also be conducting ground and site investigations and making sure the best environmental practices are being used. It is great to build on the existing relationships we have with the ‘surface’ team, and also is the perfect chance to further use the Crossrail knowledge we have gained from working on the central London sections.”
Network Rail is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the parts of Crossrail that are on the existing network, covering 70km (43.5 miles) of track and 28 stations from Maidenhead in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.
Notes to Editors:
About Crossrail
Crossrail will run 118km from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21km tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. It will bring an additional 1.5 million people within 45 minutes commuting distance of London's key business districts. When it opens from 2018, Crossrail will provide new transport links with the Tube, Thameslink, National Rail, DLR and London Overground.
Network Rail delivering Crossrail
Network Rail is a key partner in Crossrail and is making significant investment in upgrading the network around the Capital to deliver it. This complements Network Rail’s other work to increase capacity and improve performance across Britain.
Network Rail is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the parts of Crossrail that are on the existing network. Its work will integrate Crossrail with the national rail network, delivering faster, more frequent trains into central London from the east and west. The work includes upgrading 70km of track, redeveloping 28 stations, and renewing 15 bridges.
Network Rail will do all of this on an active operational railway, delivering vital upgrade works whilst minimising disruption to train services.
Network Rail has already made a start on Crossrail works at several locations along the route, including Paddington and Farringdon.
Further information on Network Rail’s contract schedules is available here.
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About Network RailNetwork Rail is the not for dividend owner and operator of Britain's railway infrastructure, which includes the tracks, signals, tunnels, bridges, viaducts, level crossings and stations - the largest of which we also manage. We aim to provide a safe, reliable and efficient rail infrastructure for freight and passenger trains to use. Our website:
www.networkrail.co.uk