Thursday 11 Jan 2018
New bridge in Tottenham marks the beginning of restoring a line lost during the Beeching era
- Region & Route:
- Eastern: Anglia
- | Eastern
As part of Network Rail’s £170m Lee Valley Rail programme, disused land is being used to reinstate a third track between Stratford and Angel Road stations which was lost during the Beeching cuts of the 1960s. Video footage shows the installation of a new railway bridge in Tottenham which will once again carry a third track over the River Lea Navigation. Due to be complete in 2019, the project will enable two extra trains per hour*, unlocking sites for housing development and economic growth in the boroughs of Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forrest.
The Lee Valley Rail programme, running between Lea Bridge station which reopened in May 2016 and Enfield’s new station, Meridian Water, will provide a much needed third track on a congested section of the West Anglia Mainline.
In one of its first major milestones, the project successfully lifted in a 400 tonne bridge last weekend. This included lifting two 40 metre long girders, weighing 138 tonne, over the adjacent line which was closed to passenger services. The operation was overseen by Network Rail and contractors VolkerFitzpatrick, and involved using a 600 tonne crawler crane to lift sections of the bridge into position.
Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “This milestone and project shows how we can re-open and reinstate previously disused railway lines to provide a better railway in an efficient way. By using the space available to us we’re able to build an extra track in a built up area which will enable more trains to run, improve connections to homes and jobs, and support economic growth. We are also making improvements at Northumberland Park and Tottenham Hale stations to make it easier for passengers to access train services. I’d like to thank passengers and lineside neighbours for their patience whilst we carried out this work and also thank our people on the ground for making it a success.”
John Cox, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s rail division, said: “We are excited to be working with Network Rail on this project, as part of the Anglia Route Collaboration. The VolkerFitzpatrick team worked safely and efficiently, to complete the bridge install to a high standard. I am proud of their dedication and hard work, towards the delivery of this key project milestone.”
Jamie Burles, managing director, Greater Anglia, said: “These works should provide an improved, more reliable railway for passengers on the West Anglia route. All passengers should continue to check before they travel, and we would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.”
The improvement work and new Meridian Water station is part of the £170m Lee Valley Rail Programme, which is jointly funded by UK Government, the Mayor of London, the London Economic Action Partnership (now known as “LEAP”), Transport for London, and Enfield and Haringey Councils.
The funding partners and Network Rail are working together to deliver benefits in the north London corridor which will improve rail services and maximise economic growth, jobs and housing opportunities. The plans will increase rail capacity on the West Anglia Main Line and accommodate proposed plans for Crossrail 2.
Notes to Editors
* The programme will enable two additional trains per hour during peak times only.
Passengers are advised to check the Greater Anglia and National Rail websites before they travel at weekends, and allow extra time for journeys.
Key improvements:
- Improvements at Tottenham Hale station include new platforms, lifts and a new accessible footbridge. Connections between London Underground and National Rail will also be improved.
- Upgrade works at Northumberland Park station will include building an additional platform and new step-free footbridge.
- Meridian Water station, funded by Enfield Borough Council and the Mayor of London, will provide passengers with a new concourse with ticketing facilities, step-free access and better connections to London.
For more information about the Lee Valley Rail programme, please visit www.networkrail.co.uk/leevalley
About VolkerFitzpatrick
VolkerFitzpatrick is a multi-disciplinary contractor with an annual turnover of c£540 million working in the civil engineering, building, rail, waste and energy infrastructure sectors.
Founded in 1921, the company has grown to become one of the top contractors in the UK and now employs more than 600 people. VolkerFitzpatrick’s success is based on ensuring it has a sound understanding of the client’s vision, which is then delivered on time and to budget.
VolkerFitzpatrick is part of VolkerWessels UK, a multi-disciplinary construction and civil engineering group with a turnover of c£850 million. VolkerWessels UK employs more than 2,750 staff in five operating businesses.
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