22.08.16
Crossrail awards last major contract to Alstom JV
The last contract to build London’s new Crossrail network has been awarded to Alstom, TSO and Costain, it was announced today.
The three companies form a joint venture which will receive a £26m contract to build a maintenance facility at Plumstead.
The facility will house the staff and equipment required for the maintenance of the network’s underground tunnels.
Simon Wright, programme director at Crossrail, said: “The procurement of billions of pounds worth of work for the Crossrail programme has been a monumental exercise.
“We have used the procurement process as a way of ensuring world class standards in the construction of the new railway as well as value for money for the taxpayer. The contracts we’ve signed with our principle contractors have also set the future standard for major UK infrastructure projects, helping us to deliver more than 550 apprenticeships, reducing our impact on the environment and spreading the economic benefits of the project.”
Crossrail’s procurement process has required contractors to provide apprenticeships and promote environmental sustainability.
Crossrail also held procurement events around the country and used the free procurement service CompeteFor to increase opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
As a result, 62% of companies in the project’s supply chain are based outside London and 63% are SMEs.
Contractors will also share lessons learned from the project with companies carrying out the contracts for building HS2. Crossrail is now around 75% complete, with major upgrades at Liverpool Street and Acton stations finished recently.
The first trains are due to start running on the cross-London network next year.
Jonathan Willcock, managing director of signalling and infrastructure at Alstom UK & Ireland, said: “The maintenance facility at Plumstead will be crucial in delivering the high standards needed on such a large-scale infrastructure project. It is the last of the major contracts for Crossrail and so it is particularly satisfying for ATC to have been awarded it. We are looking forward to working with Crossrail to deliver it successfully.”
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