£26M WORK STARTS TO CREATE A BRIGHTER PADDINGTON STATION

Monday 2 Feb 2009

£26M WORK STARTS TO CREATE A BRIGHTER PADDINGTON STATION

Region & Route:: National

Paddington station, already one of Network Rail’s most loved, is being opened up to the light with the restoration of the roof over the fourth span of the station.

To create these better and brighter platforms 9 – 12, Network Rail has awarded a £26m contract to infrastructure services provider Morgan Est and sister construction company Morgan Ashurst who will:

Repair and restore the steel structures in the roof
Replace the glazing to allow natural light to come through
Refurbish the platforms
Remove the crash deck that currently hides the roof from passengers

Work will begin at the end of January and will be completed in 2010. The Edwardian structure will then be back on public view for the first time since the mid 1990s and passengers will be able to enjoy a similar airy feel to the rest of the award winning building, restored by Network Rail in 1993.

Paul Futter, Network Rail’s Senior Project Manager, said: "Paddington station is one of Network Rail’s most beautiful. Restoring the fourth span and opening it up to the light will make it even better for our passengers."

Paul Smith, Chief Executive of Morgan Ashurst and Morgan Est’s parent company Morgan Sindall plc, said: "This project combines the Group’s complementary engineering and construction expertise and demonstrates our ability to provide integrated construction services to our clients. We have a strong track record in the rail sector and this latest contract win builds on that success."

Notes to editors

Paddington station is owned and managed by Network Rail. It was first opened in 1854 with Span 4 added in 1916 and in 1999 benefited from a major redevelopment by Network Rail, including a new customer information system, new platform surfaces and a new shopping, eating and waiting area called "The Lawn". Morgan Est and sister company Morgan Ashurst have been awarded this contract following a competitive tendering process where they demonstrated the best overall value and the right technical expertise.

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