KING'S CROSS STATION - WESTERN CONCOURSE CONTRACT ANNOUNCEMENT

Monday 12 May 2008

KING'S CROSS STATION - WESTERN CONCOURSE CONTRACT ANNOUNCEMENT

Region & Route:: National

The massive redevelopment at King's Cross station reached a key milestone today as Network Rail announced its preferred bidder for the western concourse works contract is Taylor Woodrow.

Taylor Woodrow will now begin 'Stage 1' works which includes setting target costs and undertaking initial works in advance of the full scale redevelopment of the western range. An announcement on the award of the full contract of the works will be made in the next few months.

The western range package of works is the biggest of the redevelopment and will bring about tremendous improvements to one of London's busiest stations. The new semi-circular structure to the west of the station will house a spacious 8,000sq metre concourse - three times the size of the existing one and include the installation of voltaic roof panels which enable the building to be self heating and much brighter than the current station.

Ian Fry, King's Cross Project Director said: "This represents a key turning point for the project, and I'm delighted that work can really get moving on what is visually the most exciting aspect of the redevelopment.

"The new western concourse will deliver fantastic improvements for passengers using King's Cross, with more space, easier connections to regional services and a lighter, brighter environment to improve the whole travelling experience."

Tim Peach, Managing Director, Taylor Woodrow said: "This is a strategic success for us as a business. We are delighted to be back at King's Cross following the successful completion of the Western Ticket Hall. Rail is a key market for the skills, behaviours and experience of our team, and our supply chain partners, gained from current and previous rail projects."

Notes to editors

The majority of the station redevelopment will be completed by 2012 in time for the Olympics with the transformation complete by 2013. Network Rail is investing over £400m in redeveloping King’s Cross station. Once completed, 50million passengers will use the new station each year – 10million more than today. An additional platform, increasing reliability and capacity at the station will be built The new station will include integrated transport links with international and domestic services from St Pancras and the London Underground The Grade 1 listed façade will be restored to its former glory by demolishing the current single-storey extension to the station A new open piazza in front of the station, larger than Leicester Square, will be created

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