Network Rail awards contracts for key Crossrail works in West London

Network Rail has awarded two contracts for works in west London that will deliver important infrastructure for the Crossrail programme and help improve the frequency, capacity and reliability of passenger and freight services.

Carillion has been awarded the main civils contract to build a new, larger flyover at Stockley in Hillingdon, enabling Crossrail services to operate to Heathrow. The flyover will be built in the very busy Heathrow Airport junction area, servicing trains to and from Heathrow as well as along the Great Western main line. The new flyover is being constructed near the existing layout to provide a separate route for trains crossing the main line.

BAM has secured the civils contract to construct a new dive under (a rail underpass structure) and associated track work at Acton freight yard in Ealing. Currently freight trains entering and leaving the yard need to cross mainline passenger tracks – the new dive under will allow freight trains to access the yard without affecting passenger trains, improving reliability on passenger services and allowing an increased capacity for freight traffic.

Both infrastructure improvements will be essential once Crossrail services begin in 2018 and even more trains will travel along the Great Western main line.

Carillion and BAM will both begin work from the beginning of next year, with work due for completion for both projects in 2016.

Jorge Mendonca, Crossrail programme director, Network Rail, said: “These contract awards are an important step forward in the delivery of the Crossrail surface works. The new Acton diveunder and Stockley flyover will both deliver benefits for passenger and freight services and are among a number of infrastructure improvements we are making as part of the Crossrail project. The works are being carefully planned to minimise the disruption to passenger and freight services.”

Network Rail is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the parts of Crossrail that are on the existing network, The work includes upgrading 43 miles of track, improving 27 stations from Maidenhead in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.