CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Crossrail is also set to implement a whole range of measures to minimise the environmental impact of a large-scale construction project, and further increase the appearance and atmosphere of the surrounding land.
Richards explained: “At the moment on one of our construction sites we’ve got green walls rather than hoardings and we’ll be looking to try and ‘green’ some of the areas outside the stations as well with tree- planting.
“Wherever possible we’re looking to make areas greener.”
Planning ahead
values around the stations.
He explained: “Crossrail would mean that developers would be interested in sites around the stations; we think that’s going to help increase the value Crossrail adds to the local areas. We’d like the local authorities to collect a larger proportion of that for urban rail improvements.”
achieved that with getting £30m from TfL at the end of last year – we hope the rest of it will be found through local authorities and other sources.”
“ There’s a strong recognition that in the future, rail schemes will have to look at the areas around the station.”
The scheme will be delivered ahead of Crossrail services starting in 2018, to allow comprehensive engagement with local authorities and developers.
Initial urban realm design work has been completed at 16 stations so far, with plans for another 12 to be completed at the end of 2013.
Richards said: “We’ve got fi ve years – we’ve done over half of the designs for the urban realm outside the stations and we’ve raised £60m of our £90m target to pay for those schemes. We think we’re well-placed to get a lot of this work done before 2018.”
A property study commissioned last year demonstrates how Crossrail will increase
Raising the bar
Other avenues for funding will largely be through local authorities, with agreements with developers around stations to raise contributions for the remaining £30m.
Richards described an agreement, drawn up at the beginning of the project with local authorities.
“We drew out very ambitious schemes which will raise the bar on what’s been done in the past – but these schemes couldn’t and wouldn’t just be funded by Crossrail.
“We’d need other forms of funding and we’ve
He added that Crossrail intended to sub- contract the public realm scheme work to contractors, which include agreements to try to maximise local labour wherever possible; meaning that people living in the nearby area would be offered employment.
Considering the impact large transport schemes are going to have on the local community should defi nitely be an integral part of future projects, Richards said.
“I think it’s the way forward. There’s growing recognition that the areas outside stations in the past haven’t been as good as they can be and in some cases are quite unpleasant.
“There’s a strong recognition that in the future, rail schemes will have to look at the areas around the station.
“I’m sure HS2 are also considering that.”
Sam Richards
FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.crossrail.co.uk/benefi ts/changing- spaces-building-communities
rail technology magazine Feb/Mar 13 | 61
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