UK - Network Rail agrees contract for Crossrail works

The contract represents one of the largest commercial contracts in Network Rail’s ten-year history and marks a further significant milestone in the overall delivery of the £14.8bn project.

Network Rail is responsible for those elements of the Crossrail project which are above ground and contained within the existing rail 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: "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 upgrading 42 miles of track, redeveloping 27 stations, renewing 10 bridges, and ensuring the integration of the new Crossrail tunnels with the existing railway."

The complete 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. Services are due to commence through central London in 2018.

Crossrail tunnelling commences

At the beginning of May a giant tunnel boring machine (TBM), broke ground at Royal Oak as part of the construction of the first section of tunnel between Royal Oak and Farringdon.

The TBM will steadily ramp up to the planned average tunnelling rate of around 100 metres a week and a conveyor system behind the TBM will remove more than one million tonnes of material from the cutter head to the portal entrance.

The excavated material is then being transported by GB Railfreight to Northfleet in Kent from where it will be transferred by ship to regeneration sites, including a new RSPB nature reserve at Wallasea Island, Essex.

The first 13 wagon train left Crossrail’s Westbourne Park site for Northfleet on 18 May after it was loaded with 492 tonnes of earth and initially two trains a week will run a return journey between the tunnel entrance and Northfleet.

Later this year the trains will increase in size to 27 wagons and run three times a day, and at the peak of tunnelling it is expected up to five freight trains a day will operate from Westbourne Park carrying a total of 7,000 tonnes of earth.

Crossrail is being delivered by Crossrail Limited (CRL) a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London, jointly sponsored by the Department for Transport and Transport for London.