[ Project focus: King’s Cross ] XXxxx
The redevelopment blends modern features with the original Victorian structure
The Western Concourse features an iconic geometric roof structure
the agenda was the North Ticket Hall, which has had 10 new escalators, six new step-free access lifts and 300m of new tunnels linking it to the Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria line platforms. The project was divided into a number of ‘packages’.
Worth £180m, Package 6 involved the refurbishment of the Western Range Building and Western Concourse, and formed the biggest part of the redevelopment.
First stop
Having enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship for many years, when VINCI Construction – then known as Taylor Woodrow – decided to tender for three packages of works, it invited NG Bailey to act as the sole electrical and mechanical contractor to support its bid.
Commenting on its suitability for a project of this scale, Michael Grainger, NG Bailey’s operations manager, says: ‘We have extensive rail experience, having worked with Network Rail many times before. Just as importantly, we have a proven track record in collaborative and integrated working and can also self-manage a project, thereby avoiding the traditional “man marking” from the main contractor.’ Having originally started work in mid-2008, the redevelopment contract for Package 6 was awarded to NG Bailey in February 2010. The work was carried out in four phases, starting with the installation of a new plant room to serve the whole station. The focus then shifted to the station’s centrepiece – the new Western Concourse. Designed by John McAslan & Partners and engineered by Arup, it is three times the size of the previous concourse area and includes a pub, restaurants, retail outlets and a new footbridge to reduce the number of passengers fighting
their way across the platforms to catch trains. The new semi-circular 7,500m2
area also features solar photovoltaic
(PV) roof panels that enable the building to generate energy. On the western front
NG Bailey was charged with the supply and installation of full M&E services within the new plant room, the Western Concourse, the Western Range Building and the Main Train Shed. Its work included the provision of high voltage and low voltage power, small power, UPS systems, fire detection and emergency lighting, general lighting, a building management system (BMS), access control and lightning protection. Grainger comments: ‘In a busy station, effective methods of communication are vital, and we also installed the public address and voice alarm systems (PA/VA), help points, disabled alarms, CCTV, radio systems, and a local area network (LAN).’
Train of events
2008: Construction started with the North Ticket Hall. 2008: Main Train Shed roof renewal started. 2009: Work on Western Concourse began. 2010: New platform completed. 2011: Restoration and reglazing of roof finished. 2012: New Western Concourse opened in time for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
2012: Demolition of existing ‘temporary’ concourse. 2013: Building of a new public square in front of King’s Cross station.
The new semi- circular 7,500m2 area also
features solar PV roof panels that enable the building to generate energy
September 2012 ECA Today 39
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