Four consultant groups have been appointed to draw up detailed plans for Crossrail 2.
The teams have been brought in as political support for the new rail link grows. The railway would run between south west and north east London, with links beyond to Surrey and Hertfordshire.
Network Rail and Transport for London (TfL) are jointly working on the project, which is estimated to cost £25 billion, including the cost of procuring new trains.
The teams, which form part of TfL’s Engineering and Project Management Framework (EPMF), include:
- Arcadis Hyder (in partnership with Weston Williamson, VINCI Construction, Interfleet and First Class Partnerships and Dr Sauer & Partners) – engineering/technical aspects;
- CH2M Hill / Atkins (CAST) – strategic modelling, route development; planning, appraisal and evaluation;
- MTEW (Mott MacDonald Ltd, Temple Group Ltd, ERM, and WSP Ltd) – environment and sustainability;
- AECOM, Weston Williamson, and Turkington Martin – town planning, economic development, socio-economic and urban design.
Following a series of public consultations, TfL plans to apply for the powers to construct the new railway in 2017.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “There is now real momentum behind Crossrail 2 and a growing sense that we can get it off the drawing board.
“We’re seeing strong recognition from the business community that this project could have major benefits for London, helping to boost rail capacity and the creation of new jobs and homes in the capital and beyond.”
Michèle Dix CBE, who will soon become managing director of Crossrail 2, said: “The appointment of these four major consultancies is another important step in taking Crossrail 2 forward. They will work with us to help make the case for Crossrail 2 and prepare more detailed proposals for public consultation later in the summer.”
