Premier Rail

Ilford Depot

Ilford Depot
Written by Roma Publications

Ilford Depot: Revamped

As part of the Crossrail initiative Ilford Depot is undergoing a £50million upgrade. The project covers the provision of additional stabling facilities at the depot, as well various other works on the site which is located adjacent to the Great Eastern Main Line between Ilford and Seven Kings.

VolkerFitzpatrick Limited was awarded the design, enabling works, construction, installation, testing and commissioning of the sidings, accommodation building and major modification of other existing depot facilities. The Ilford Depot will provide stabling for up to 12 trains from Crossrail rolling stock along the north eastern section of the Crossrail network.

As well as the provision of additional stabling facilities a number of existing buildings at the Ilford Yard site will be adapted to ensure that ten new sidings are built to house trains overnight. A new staff building is also being constructed for train drivers and other staff working at the depot.

VolkerFitzpatrick is one of the UK’s leading engineering and construction companies, providing specialist building, civil engineering and industry focused skills to a range of market sectors including commercial, industrial, education, rail, aviation, waste and energy.

The firm are experts in the rail industry having worked on Edge Hill Maintenance Depot in Liverpool, Deptford Station Redevelopment, Starr Gate Blackpool Tram Depot and Reading Train Core Depot.  Other projects VolkerFitzpatrick have worked on include Birmingham Gateway, Buckshaw Parkway Station in Chorley, Windsor Lines Platform Extensions in Slouhg and Latimer Road and Shepherds Bush in London.

The depot will not only be vital for Crossrail’s operation but has created job opportunities during the construction and up to 90 jobs once the depot upgrades have been completed. The depot will remain operational during the construction works which began in May 2013 and is now near to completion.

VolkerFitzpatrick initially surveyed the Ilford Depot back in September 2011 and are continuing to work of the project on behalf of Crossrail. Mechan worked with VolkerFitspatrick in order to build a 28m bespoke traverser at the Ilford facility to enable the rail carriages to be manoevered around the new paint shop. Due to the limited space within the depot, using the sidings to move the carriages to the paint booth was not possible.

R J Power Group secured a contract with the engineering and construction company for signalling and power supplies during Stages three to seven at the Depot. They also began work during the summer to complete the electrical enabling works for the main improvements planned for August 2016.

This year Constant Air systems Ltd supplied and installed the diesel fume extract system to the depot as well as 11 Ambirad heaters.

The Crossrail route will pass through 37 stations from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 13 mile tunnels below central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. To deliver these services, Crossrail needs around 60 new trains which will be stabled at Old Oak Common Depot, Ilford Depot, Gidea Park, Plumstead, Maidenhead and Shenfield.

Matthew White, Crossrail Surface Director, said:

“It’s great for work to be underway at Ilford Yard, which will have a vital role to play in the smooth running of Crossrail services. Crossrail will provide a step change in public transport for people in Redbridge. Brand new trains will take passengers right through the centre of the capital, reducing journey times and making it quicker and easier for them to get to a whole range of destinations across London and the South East.”

Councillor Keith Prince, Leader of Redbridge Council said:

“Crossrail will be a huge catalyst to development and investment in Redbridge and we are delighted that the construction works are continuing at Ilford Yard and depot by Volker Fitzpatrick on behalf of CRL. This will make an important contribution to a new era in cross London travel and continue the tradition of skilled railway engineering in this strategic location.

“Together with the Crossrail services that will operate from Ilford, Seven Kings, Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath, the jobs, skills and other economic benefits locally will be considerable.”

 

 

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Roma Publications