London Overground appoints contractor for platform lengthening

Transport for London (TfL) has appointed Cleshar as the contractor to lengthen some of the station platforms on the London Overground network’s East London and South London routes.

The work is part of a huge upgrade programme to deliver a 25 per cent capacity increase to meet rapidly increasing demand on the capital’s best performing railway.

The longer platforms will accommodate longer London Overground trains, which are being increased from four to five carriages. The first of these trains will run on the east London route – Highbury & Islington to New Cross, Crystal Palace, West Croydon and the South London route to Clapham Junction – by December 2014.

TfL’s Director of Rail, Jonathan Fox, said: “Although not yet six years old, London Overground must continue to grow its capacity. It’s hugely popular, with passenger numbers increasing by 87 million in its first four years of existence.

“While that rate will slow, we must still be ready to provide for the 810,000 new residents who will come to London by 2021.”

“We are pleased to be working with Cleshar on this crucial project and these upgrade works will be completed with the absolute minimum of disruption to services.”

Works to extend platforms will take place at the following stations on the East London route; Highbury & Islington, Canonbury, Hoxton, Haggerston, Dalston Junction, Shoreditch, Shadwell, Wapping, Canada Water and Surrey Quays on the East London route as well as Wandsworth High Street, Clapham High Street and Clapham Junction on the South London route.

Work at the first of these stations is expected to begin in the autumn.

The work is part of the £320m London Overground Capacity Improvement Programme which continues TfL’s investment in this highly successful railway. TfL has already delivered more frequent and punctual services, a new fleet of air-conditioned, high capacity trains and most recently the completion of the orbital network around London – the first orbital rail network in the capital for 128 years.

Source TfL press office




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