Network Rail awards major Crossrail design contract

Network Rail has awarded a major design contract for Crossrail works to Balfour Beatty Rail. The contract covers the design phase for works on the two-mile stretch from Plumstead to Abbey Wood in south east London, including the design for the new Abbey Wood station, which is the terminus station on the south east section of the Crossrail route.

The station work will provide two new Crossrail platforms and improved access. In addition, a four-track railway will be created requiring Network Rail to improve five bridges and build two new overhead electrified railway lines between Plumstead portal (where the central tunnel section emerges) and Abbey Wood.

Robbie Burns, programme director, Network Rail, said: “Network Rail is transforming the railway to make Crossrail a success and is working with its partners, including Balfour Beatty, to deliver a railway that is safe, efficient and fit for the 21st century.

“This work will deliver design work which will support the capacity requirements to carry 12 Crossrail trains per hour from the central tunnel section to Abbey Wood. The transformed Abbey Wood station will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the surrounding area and provide opportunities for local employment, meeting the development aspirations of the two London boroughs it will serve, Greenwich and Bexley.”

Peter Anderson, Balfour Beatty Rail managing director, added: “We are delighted to be part of such a multi-disciplinary project and look forward to working in partnership with Network Rail to achieve its objective of transforming the railway infrastructure whilst developing the local community. Our integrated team will be led by Balfour Beatty Rail and supported by skills from across the Balfour Beatty Group including Parsons Brinckerhoff, Mansell, Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering and Balfour Beatty Engineering Services. We are committed to delivering a safe and efficient railway for the 21st century.”

Network Rail is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the parts of Crossrail that are on the existing network, covering 70km of track and 28 stations from Maidenhead in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.