Thursday 24 May 2012
NETWORK RAIL AGREES MULTI-BILLION POUND CONTRACT FOR CROSSRAIL SURFACE WORKS
- Region & Route:
- National
Network Rail has agreed an anticipated final cost with Crossrail Limited to deliver significant infrastructure enhancements on the rail network to enable Crossrail services to Maidenhead, Heathrow, Abbey Wood and Shenfield.
Network Rail’s work for Crossrail represents one of the largest commercial contracts in the company’s ten-year history and marks a further significant milestone in the delivery of the project. Network Rail will deliver the works within the £2.3bn funding available.
Network Rail is responsible for the elements of the Crossrail project which are above ground and contained within the existing network. This includes modifications at 27 surface stations, provision of power for the new rolling stock including overhead lines, and the building of a new, larger flyover at Stockley in Hillingdon to enable Crossrail services to operate to Heathrow.
Simon Kirby, managing director, Network Rail Infrastructure Projects, said: "Network Rail's combined roles of operating and upgrading the existing railway mean that we are uniquely placed to deliver the above ground elements of this world-class project. We've spent two years working with our customer, Crossrail Limited, and we are confident that we have the right plan, expertise and resources. We and our supply partners are now completely focused on efficient delivery for passengers and our customer."
Matthew White, Crossrail's surface director, said: "To enable Crossrail services to operate, Network Rail will be undertaking a multi-billion upgrade of the rail network with major improvements planned for the Great Eastern and Great Western main lines including better stations, electrification, new and improved signalling and the integration of the new Crossrail tunnels with the existing railway."
Crossrail trains will travel from Maidenhead and Heathrow, through new rail tunnels below central London, to Shenfield and Abbey Wood. The service will offer the ability to travel directly to the West End, the City and Canary Wharf without changing, reducing journey times and inconvenience.
Notes to editors
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’s railway.
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 42 miles of track, redeveloping 27 stations, and renewing 10 bridges.
About Crossrail
The total funding envelope available to deliver Crossrail is £14.8bn. The Crossrail route will pass through 37 stations and run 118 km (73 miles) from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21 km (13 miles) tunnels below central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
When Crossrail opens it will increase London's rail-based transport network capacity by 10%, supporting regeneration and cutting journey times across the city. Crossrail services are due to commence through central London in 2018.
Crossrail is being delivered by Crossrail Limited (CRL). CRL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London. Crossrail is jointly sponsored by the Department for Transport and Transport for London.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Network Rail press office - National
020 3356 8700
mediarelations@networkrail.co.uk
About Network Rail
We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.
Follow us on Twitter: @networkrail
Visit our online newsroom: www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk