CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Sam Richards, head of urban integration at Crossrail, describes the huge public realm scheme being planned alongside Europe’s biggest rail project.
C
ity-wide improvements to the railway network can no longer simply consider what goes on in stations and on trains – the quality of the areas surrounding this work have a signifi cant infl uence on public life.
The Crossrail project is a £14.8bn new rail line linking London from east to west, due to open for service in 2018.
Literally ground-breaking new construction techniques and a training scheme that will benefi t thousands aside, Crossrail is also expected to transform
the capital with
sustainable, safe and attractive public spaces surrounding its stations.
RTM spoke to Crossrail’s head of urban integration, Sam Richards, about recognising the wider impact of rail infrastructure projects.
“The success of the railway won’t just be about a very good service, good architecture and the stations, people are going to judge our success by the passenger experience on arriving and leaving the stations,” he said.
The entire public realm scheme will cost around £90m; £28m has been secured through the Crossrail budget, with a further £30m contribution from TfL – the rest is expected to come from councils and developers contributions.
The plans will see station design integrated with new and improved public spaces, to be jointly delivered by local authorities and developers.
Building a legacy
Richards highlighted the need to improve local communities for people living and travelling around Crossrail to enjoy, even if they are not making use of the actual rail services.
“Our legacy is good stations but also a good urban realm. The areas around stations in terms of property prices haven’t performed well in the past and we want to make a
Integration with other forms of transport includes making sure there is adequate space nearby the station for stops and storage, as well as basic things such as how people cross the road, and where pedestrian crossings should be located.
“We have to make sure the right facilities are there to make it easier for pedestrians,” Richards said. “It’s that very functional experience, but also aesthetic experience: it’s a pleasant area to be in.”
Safety is one of Crossrail’s “prime motivations”, he added, which includes work on lighting and clear pedestrian routes to offer a greater sense of security for people walking late at night.
change in that.
“We want to make the areas around the stations nice areas to live in.
“There’s plenty of opportunity to do that.
“Before Crossrail came along, those were never really nice areas in terms of walking through as a pedestrian, even if you weren’t using the station. Walking round Centre Point was always a pretty unpleasant and in some areas quite an unsafe experience.
“We defi nitely want to change that with a really fundamental scheme.”
Rejuvenation and integration
92,000 square metres of improved public space is to be created outside stations as well as transport interchange improvements, including connections with buses, taxis, cycle parking and walking routes. New trees will be planted and seating areas constructed.
The importance of improving the surrounding environment is “well recognised” within Crossrail and initial urban realm design work has already been completed at a number of stations.
60 | rail technology magazine Feb/Mar 13
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