The UK’s leading support services partner Amey has been awarded a contract with Network Rail to provide design and contract supervision services for the construction of platform extensions in nine stations on the Thameslink route. The delivery of this project will be managed by one of Amey’s design offices in Birmingham and will be supported by two other Amey consultancy offices in Swindon and York. The fee income for this work is estimated to be between £4-4.5m and the project is due for completion before the end of 2011.
This scheme has been commissioned by Network Rail, with the purpose of extending the eight car platforms to twelve car platforms at nine stations; providing a total of two kilometres of new platform construction. Amey will be responsible for the stations in the Outer Area, from Elstree & Borehamwood north to Bedford. The design work for this scheme is likely to be completed by the end of 2010 and Amey will remain onsite providing construction support until the end of 2011, when the project will be completed.
“Amey is delighted to be awarded this design contract with our partner Network Rail and we look forward to the mutual benefits and growth that this will bring to our respective companies. We are proud to play a part in the development of a first-class transportation system which addresses the issue of capacity on the UK rail network and fulfils our aim to deliver a transport system fit for the 21st century.” says Mel Ewell, CEO of Amey.
This project supports Network Rail’s aim to have, by 2012, longer twelve car trains, each with 50% extra capacity, running at greater frequency on the route between Bedford, Central London and Brighton. This forms part of the Thameslink Programme, a £5.5 billion investment in an improved rail infrastructure that will deliver more capacity and more journey options for passengers travelling to or through London from the North and South.
The Thameslink route covers 140 miles (225km) from Bedford to Brighton as well as serving stations in south and southwest London and Kent. It provides direct links to some of the country’s busiest transport hubs, including Luton and Gatwick airports, St Pancras International and London Bridge stations. The route is one of the busiest and fastest growing in the UK, hence the investment by Network Rail to improve the capacity.
Andy Duffin, Thameslink programme director for Network Rail said: “The congestion-busting Thameslink expansion will deliver what passengers need – longer trains, extra capacity and less crowding. This contract is another vital piece of the jigsaw in our work to lengthen the existing platforms at Thameslink stations allowing new, longer trains to call.”