ISSUE 43 AUGUST 2017 MOVING AHEAD PROJECT AUGUST UPDATE Andrew Wolstenholme, CEO PROGRAMME 85% 60% The Crossrail project team continues to work around the clock to deliver the Elizabeth line, the new railway for London and the South East. Over the summer the final central station platform was completed at Whitechapel station. At all of the central station sites teams are now installing architectural finishes and railway systems to turn these spaces into the fully functional platforms passengers will use from December 2018. Many of the stations are now emerging above the hoardings, visible as you walk by Crossrail construction sites. You can see the first section of the 120 metre-long canopy roof at Paddington, the black stone walls of Tottenham Court Road station s western ticket hall, the striking ceilings of Farringdon station, the curved timber station building at Abbey Wood; just some of the bespoke station architecture now visible from the street. At Mile End, Stepney Green, Cambridge Heath and other nearby sites, the station head houses, which serve as emergency and maintenance access points, have also taken shape and their designs are now on show. The first of the new trains has entered passenger service on the TfL Rail route between Liverpool Street and Shenfield, giving a glimpse of the new railway to come. As each train rolls off the production line in Derby, they undergo extensive testing before progressively being introduced onto the network. Through the Crossrail Art Foundation the project continues to work with the City of London Corporation, leading galleries and sponsors to deliver an exciting series of public art at seven of the central stations. Joining a list of world-renowned artists selected to date is British artist, Simon Periton, who will be delivering two art installations at Farringdon. An enormous amount of activity is taking place together with a diverse supply chain. From architects and engineers designing and building the infrastructure, to the small and mediumsized businesses delivering specialised components the railway, the project is drawing on expert skills within the UK and beyond to deliver a world-class railway. 699 APPRENTICES ON THE PROJECT TO DATE 62% of suppliers based outside of London 96% OF CONTRACTS AWARDED BY ARE TO COMPANIES WITHIN THE UK PROJECT TIME LINE 2017 2018 2019 STATION CONSTRUCTION & CIVIL ENGINEERING NETWORK RAIL WORKS RAILWAY SYSTEMS TRAINS AND RAILWAY DEPOT PUBLIC SPACE AND DEVELOPMENT AROUND STATIONS TFL RAIL NEW TRAINS AND SERVICES ELIZABETH LINE PHASED OPENING
COMING UP Woolwich station ABOVE GROUND At many sites across the route, the new Elizabeth line stations are emerging from behind the Crossrail hoardings. The station head houses, which serve emergency and maintenance access or house ventilation equipment, can also now be seen. As the year goes on, more will be seen as buildings come up above ground, and their bespoke designs come to life. Paddington station Farringdon station Stepney Green See the curved concrete wall which will later be wrapped with a metal motif, inspired by the parkland, as well as green climber plants. Mile End Walk around the single storey which is topped with a green roof. CUSTOM HOUSE See the brickwork on the outside of the station building and ventilation building. WOOLWICH ABBEY WOOD Abbey Wood station See the steel frame for the 120 metre-long glazed canopy, which will filter natural light down to the platforms, and ventilation shafts. TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD Look into the eastern ticket hall at the corner of Lindsey Street and Long Lane to see the square coffered ceiling inspired by the Barbican. FARRINGDON LIVERPOOL STREET Tottenham Court Road WHITECHAPEL Durward Street CANARY WHARF Canary Wharf station Custom House station Walk past the station, which was built like a giant jigsaw using pre-fabricated concrete segments, and see the station to the west. See the curved, timber roof and glass station entrance from Harrow Manor Way. Spencer Finch s A Cloud Index artwork, which is now in production, will stretch across the entire length of the canopy. PADDINGTON BOND STREET See inside the first storey of the dark and cinematic western ticket hall on the corner of Dean Street and Oxford Street. Notice the decorative bell-wave pattern on the cladding here which celebrates the historical significance of the bell industry at Whitechapel. Cambridge Heath Walk inside the exotic rooftop garden or visit the restaurants and shops above the station. Beside the station ticket hall, see the brickwork surrounding the ventilation shaft. Copper cladding will be applied to the building, a nod to the former brewery and copper stills that were once housed on this site.
CENTRAL STATIONS UPDATE ALL PLATFORMS COMPLETE All new central station Elizabeth line platforms are now complete following the installation of the final platform at Whitechapel station at the beginning of the summer. The completion of the 240 metre-long platforms makes way for architectural and railway systems fit-out works to progress. Flooring, wall finishes, platform screen doors and lighting will now need to be installed on the platforms as part of the works to help turn these construction sites into an operational railway. Platforms installed at Whitechapel station TRACK INSTALLATION NEARS COMPLETION Later this summer the final section of permanent track for the project will be laid at Whitechapel station, marking the end to all new track installation in the new tunnels. Five different types of track have been installed. Standard track slab forms 80 per cent of tracks in the central section. Direct fixed track has been used in Connaught Tunnel and floating track slab (light and heavy) and high attenuation sleepers have been used to reduce noise and vibration in sensitive areas such as underneath Soho and the Barbican. Track installation in the tunnels More than 50 kilometres of tracks have been laid using approximately 70,000 sleepers and 57 kilometres of rail and 13,500 cubic metres of concrete. Installing OHLE system at Connaught Tunnel POWERING LONDON S NEWEST RAILWAY A dedicated team of engineers is working around the clock to install the overhead catenary system that the new Elizabeth line trains will use to draw power to operate inside the tunnels. Installation is now underway at Connaught Tunnel and will continue to move west through the central section. The main power supply in the tunnels under central London will come from two new bulk supply points one at Pudding Mill Lane in the east and the other at Kensal Green to the west.
ELIZABETH LINE TRAIN ENTERS PASSENGER SERVICE Following an extensive testing and assurance process, the first class 345 future Elizabeth line train was introduced into passenger service in June and will continue operating during off-peak services for now. The train is now part of the fleet that runs on the TfL Rail services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield. Over the next 18 months, more of the new trains will be introduced into passenger service, progressively replacing the existing fleet. At full length (nine carriages; 200 metres long), the accessible, lightweight air-conditioned trains will offer space for 1,500 people. Production of the full fleet of 70 trains continues at Passengers on the new trains Bombardier s factory in Derby. Once built, each train has to go through extensive testing before being introduced into service. BRITISH ARTIST SIMON PERITON TO CREATE NEW ARTWORK AT FARRINGDON Artist s impression of artwork at the eastern ticket hall Simon Periton has joined the team of world-renowned artists delivering public artworks for the Elizabeth line. Periton, whose work ranges from subtly inserting messages into genteel cut-outs to large scale public commissions, has found inspiration for this latest work in Farringdon s rich history. At Farringdon station s western ticket hall, large diamonds will appear to tumble around the escalators on the lower concourse level. A homage to the goldsmiths, jewellers and ironsmiths of nearby Hatton Garden, the two metre tall designs will be digitally printed onto the glass wall panels. The glass wrapping three sides of the eastern ticket hall building will be covered with a subtle pattern that reflects the elaborate Victorian metalwork of the historic Smithfield Market opposite. Changing shadows will be cast across the interior space during the day, while in the evening, station lights will illuminate the design from inside, offering a dramatic new perspective. New public art will be installed at seven Elizabeth line stations. With 200 million passengers a year, this will make the Elizabeth line one of the UK s largest public galleries. WALLASEA ISLAND BECOMES A WILDLIFE HAVEN More than seven million tonnes of earth was excavated during Crossrail s tunnelling marathon. Three million tonnes of it was used to help create a wildlife sanctuary at Wallasea Island in Essex. Two years on from completing the new wetland and breaching the sea wall, a record number of wildlife have made this sanctuary their home. A diverse mix of 12,000 wintering birds were recorded on the island by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).. Wallasea Island
TWO FAMILY EXHIBITIONS To discover more about Crossrail s story you can also visit... Discover the design story on Crossrail s YouTube channel LOOK FORWARD TO CUSTOM HOUSE Integrated with the existing DLR station with homes to the north and ExCeL London to the south, the new station makes the most of the limited space it has available. Designed to create a welcoming civic presence for local people and regional and international visitors, the station plan is a simple, straightforward journey from the entrance to platforms. An 18 degree angle, derived from the road junction at the southern end of the station features in the patterns on the ceiling and pavement. Air-filled translucent pillows form the roof, providing shelter and natural light to filter into the station. Passengers will experience a simple, straightforward journey, with step-free access, from the street to the train doors. Access to the Elizabeth line platforms is via lifts, stairs and escalators from a spacious upper concourse. Urban realm enhancements include a new landscaped area with planting, cycle parking, wayfinding and improved lighting. A new public artwork will be created with the local community for the two kilometre trackside wall. The design will run from Custom House through to Silvertown and North Woolwich. Information on how the local community can get involved in its design will be available soon at www.crossrail.co.uk. Museum of London Docklands Exhibition closes 3 Sep 2017 FREE ENTRY www.crossrail.co.uk To discover more about Crossrail s stations, art story and you public space can Stations, art and public space on the Elizabeth line also visit... on the Elizabeth line An exhibition about the design of London s newest railway. Visit London Transport Museum Exhibition extended until Jan 2018 Children go FREE DON T MISS OUT ON NEWS AND EVENTS FROM Get project updates and event news delivered straight into your inbox. Subscribe at www.crossrail.co.uk EA1032/CH CONTACT US Find out more and join mailing lists call 0345 602 3813 24hr email helpdesk@crossrail.co.uk visit www.crossrail.co.uk write FREEPOST (no postage or address required) follow us @Crossrail CrossrailLtd CrossrailLtd MOVING LONDON FORWARD