It’s hard to believe how quickly Crossrail has progressed and how much has been accomplished in such a short space of time. It didn’t seem that long ago since the tunnel boring machines were ploughing through 26 miles worth of concrete during the very early stages. Now, the line has been given a name, its own branding, with plenty of people already calculating new routes and different ways that the Elizabeth Line can benefit them on their travels.
The last of its major contracts has now been awarded, signalling the end of one of the UK’s biggest ever procurement programmes, which has seen over 100 contracts for a wide range of work including tunnelling, station construction and railway systems, all of which Mane have been involved with, particularly in the western part of the line.
The final major contract, for a maintenance facility at Plumstead, will house the staff and the equipment required for the maintenance and upkeep of the tracks and other infrastructure in the tunnels below London. The value of the contract is in the region of £26 million. The whole project has encompassed an enormous amount of contributing factors, but it hasn’t just been about simply delivering a world class railway. Aspects such as driving economic, environmental and social sustainability have played a significant part and have ensured the project delivers on a range of different measures.