The opening on Monday 28 February of London Overground’s Dalston Junction to Highbury & Islington link – the final stage of phase 1 – marks seven years’ involvement by Mott MacDonald in the £1bn East London Line extension. The consultant has been Transport for London’s technical and commercial advisor throughout Phase 1 and is now working on Phase 2.
With the new link complete, the East London route now runs from Highbury & Islington in the north via the City and Docklands to New Cross, Crystal Palace and West Croydon in the south. Phase 2 will take the line south west to Clapham Junction from just south of Surrey Quays station, completing the London orbital rail network and opening in 2012. The East London route provides Londoners with fast and reliable cross-river rail journeys in a fleet of 20 new air-conditioned trains which will enable 100,000 passenger journeys a day by the end of this year.
Mott MacDonald’s role on the East London Line extension has entailed developing preliminary designs, acting as technical advisor and providing independent certification works for London Overground. Its construction economics business Franklin + Andrews has provided estimating and procurement support for the infrastructure and rolling stock, project control and post-contract commercial advice.
David Place Mott MacDonald’s project director said, “We are proud to have been part of the first phase of the East London Line extension which has already dramatically improved mobility in this area of London as well as supported regeneration of some of London’s most deprived boroughs. We are very pleased that our involvement continues as the designer and technical advisor for Phase 2 of the extension which will connect the line to Clapham Junction.”
David added, “The project team is delighted that we finished this stage three months early and below budget.”
