Network Rail awards major Crossrail contract for east London and Essex

Network Rail has awarded a £150 million contract to Costain for the majority of Crossrail works planned on the north-east surface section of the Crossrail route, between Stratford in east London and Shenfield in Essex.

The contract includes the design and build of major station improvements at Romford and Ilford as well as improvements at stations including Forest Gate, Goodmayes, Harold Wood, Gidea Park, Chadwell Heath and Brentwood.

Platform extensions will allow for longer, higher capacity trains to run, and new lifts to enable step-free access will be installed at many stations along the route. The detailed design phase will now get underway and main works will take place between late 2014 and 2017.

Major infrastructure improvements will also be delivered including the upgrade of existing tracks and overhead electrification equipment as well as extra train stabling capacity and turnback facilities that will improve the reliability of passenger services.

Rob McIntosh, Crossrail Programme Director, Network Rail, said: “The northeastern section is set to transform the experience of commuters and longer-distance travellers between London, Essex and beyond. The additional passenger capacity and renewed stations will mean major, long-term improvements.”

Matthew White, Crossrail’s Surface Director said: “Network Rail is undertaking a major upgrade of the existing rail network for Crossrail including a significant programme of track renewals as well as stations improvements. For the residents of east London and Essex, Crossrail will deliver significant benefits to passengers including new trains, better stations and quicker journeys.”

With Crossrail, people travelling from outer London and Essex will be able to travel right through the capital and on to Berkshire and Heathrow without having to change trains. Brand new trains will replace the existing ageing trains used on stopping services from Shenfield to London from 2017. Existing fast and semi-fast services from Shenfield to Liverpool Street will continue to operate.