08.05.19
Network Rail awards final west London station upgrade contracts for Crossrail
Network Rail has awarded the final contracts for upgrades to stations in west London as part of the delayed flagship Crossrail project.
The upgraded stations will benefit from improved passenger flow, new ticket halls and enhanced accessibility with lifts and footbridges, as well as step free access in order to prepare the stations for a boost in passenger numbers when Crossrail fully opens.
Work at West Drayton, Hayes & Harlington and Southall will be carried out by Hochtief whilst Graham will undertake the work at Acton Main Line, West Ealing and Ealing Broadway.
Mark Wild, Crossrail’s chief executive, said: “London needs the Elizabeth Line completed as quickly as possible and brought into service for passengers.
“It is very encouraging that Network Rail are now able to award these remaining station contracts which form an important part of their remaining work on the Crossrail project.
“These station upgrades are vital to supporting the increased numbers of passengers who will use these stations once the Elizabeth Line is fully open.”
Network Rail delivered the enabling works for the new station buildings by installing the foundations and steel frames last year, and the new ticket halls and step free access will be completed by December 2020.
Crisis-hit Crossrail, which was originally due to open in 2018, has been hit by a number of delays and bailouts, but last month its bosses revealed that the Elizabeth Line would be open by March 2021 at the latest.
Network Rail’s project director Dave Corkett said the upgrades will be an important element of its work on the Crossrail project, and said the contract will allow it and the new contractors to “deliver these important station upgrades that are so eagerly awaited by local communities in west London.”
Lawrence Jackson, managing director of Hochtief, said it was looking forward to delivering the upgrade works with minimal disruption, whilst Graham rail director Jonny Kerr said it was “delighted to be appointed to this nationally important infrastructure project.”