Business

Graham on inside track of Europe’s largest infrastructure project

Artist's impression of the West Ealing station
Artist's impression of the West Ealing station Artist's impression of the West Ealing station

GRAHAM Construction in Co Down has been appointed to build and upgrade three railway stations as part of Crossrail, Europe’s largest infrastructure project.

To be known as the Elizabeth Line when services begin through central London in 2020, the new railway system will be fully integrated with the existing transport network.

It will stretch more than 60 miles from Reading and Heathrow in the west, and through central tunnels across to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

In order to improve journey times, ease congestion and offer better connectivity for around 200 million passengers each year, many of the stations along the route require significant upgrading, including access for all and platform extension works.

Graham (www.graham.co.uk) will construct two completely new stations in West Ealing and Acton Mainline.

The national contractor will also significantly remodel Ealing Broadway.

Valued at £46m, all three schemes located on the Great Western Main Line fall under the Crossrail West Enhanced Stations phase two programme.

The work, being carried out on behalf of Network Rail, is expected to begin imminently with completion scheduled for late 2020.

Jonny Kerr, rail director at Hillsborough-based Graham, said: “This nationally important infrastructure project will help transform rail transport in London and the south east, and our selection is recognition of the collaborative relationship we have developed with Network Rail.

“It also demonstrates our reputation for delivering excellence in the rail sector having recently completed a number of schemes including Bellenden and Westdown Bridges. Currently, we are completing transformative projects such as the Scarborough train care facility and Portrush train station.”

The West Ealing Station works involve the construction of a new station, interior fit-out, telecommunications, step free access between platforms and street level, and the provision of ticket windows within the ticket office, while Acton Mainline Station is a reciprocal new build station project.

The Ealing Broadway Station scheme involves the construction of a new curved canopy, new glass structures, entrance, and a ticket hall with capacity for 17 standard ticket gates and one wide gate.

Graham, which has 2,200 staff and which last year turned over £765 million, is a privately-owned company specialising in the delivery of building, civil engineering, interior fit-out and facilities management.