CONSTRUCTION SERVICES & EQUIPMENT
A new phase of construction began on Paddington Crossrail station in February, with the excavation of the station box and replacement of the taxi rank, reports Kate Ashley.
A
ll traffic was diverted from Paddington on the first day of the excavation of the new
station box, as several exits were blocked and taxis, buses and pedestrians were re-routed.
Although a large public consultation had been held to warn of the changes, many passengers complained about the confusion and missed rail connections. The works were announced in January.
The closure of Eastbourne Terrace began on February 12 and will last until early 2014. This will cut construction time by two years com- pared to partial closure, Crossrail said, and it will be safer for construction workers to build the new station.
Once the box structure and excavation is com- plete, work will get underway to fit-out the new station with platforms, escalators, lifts and other equipment.
Information is provided on bus stops, leaflets delivered to passengers and at tube stations. Extra staff will continue to help communicate
Kay Buxton, chief executive of Paddington Wa- terside Partnership, added: “The new Crossrail station at Paddington will deliver improved and direct transport connections with areas to the west and east of the capital as well as with London’s other major employment centres.
the changes to those affected.
Andy Mitchell, Crossrail programme director, and a member of RTM’s editorial board, said: “It’s vital that the impact of Crossrail’s con- struction on central London is kept to a mini- mum. A full-closure of Eastbourne Terrace will mean that construction of the new station box at Paddington can be completed in two years instead of four years enabling station fit-out to commence and Eastbourne Terrace to be re- opened as soon as possible.
“Crossrail, Network Rail and TfL have worked closely with Westminster City Council, busi- nesses and residents to do all we can to deliver these major works in the least disruptive way possible.”
“Crossrail has worked closely with us ahead of these major works commencing and while there will be an impact locally we are clearly focused on the long-term benefits that will be delivered.”
Crossrail will boost London’s rail-based capac- ity by 10%, delivering new journey opportuni- ties, faster journey times and up to 24 trains per hour between Paddington and Whitechapel during the peak.
Following the initial disruption, a spokesman for Crossrail said it would be “monitoring the situation closely to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum”.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
opinion@railtechnologymagazine.com
rail technology magazine Feb/Mar 12 | 61
© Crossrail Ltd
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92