Crossrail

Network Rail is a key partner in Crossrail and is making a £2.3bn investment in upgrading our network around the Capital to deliver it.

When complete Crossrail will link Maidenhead to the west of London through to Shenfield in Essex and Abbey Wood. It will connect commuters directly to the City, Canary Wharf, the West End and Heathrow Airport, using mainline trains and a 21km tunnel under the centre of the City.

We are responsible for the design, development and delivery of all the ‘on network works’. These are the works outside the central tunnel, much of which will take place on an active operational railway and so we have a key role in keeping the railway safe and disruption to passengers and freight companies minimal.

Network Rail’s work will include;

• The western part of the route will be electrified including substantial re-signalling along the whole of the route
• Managing the tunnel spoilage – circa 2 million m³
• Paddington – major reworking of platform and interchange between new Paddington Crossrail station and mainline platforms
• Station rebuilds including Abbey Wood, Ilford, Romford and Ealing Broadway
• Major junction remodelling, including Airport Junction Flyover to Heathrow
• Bridge rebuilds, many of sensitive Brunel bridges and other heritage assets
• Platform extensions at over 20 stations along the route.
• Timetable remodelling

Main construction will begin in 2010, and when it does, it will be the largest civil engineering project in Europe and will make travelling in the area easier and quicker, reducing crowding on London’s transport network.

For further information about Crossrail please click here.