Crystal Palace junction work complete
VolkerRail, as part of the Southern Integrated Delivery (SID), has replaced 1,500 metres of track at Crystal Palace junction.
Crystal Palace junction controls the movement of trains in and out of the station, and the work to upgrade the network will help reduce train delays and improve passenger journeys.
Over a nine day blockade, engineers replaced five sets of switches and crossings and 1,500 metres of track; as well as 125 welds and 10 stress pulls.
Ed Jury, Network Rail’s project manager, said: “We know there’s never a good time to close the railway, but with the work now completed we expect to see significant improvements to the performance of trains through the junction.
“In addition to the replacement of the switches and crossings, we’ve also installed 730 metres of new conductor rail, which feeds the electric power to trains, and 4,000 metres of new signalling and telecom cables.
“This upgrade is just one part of our continuing investment in improving passenger journeys”.
James Lewis, business partner lead - track for VolkerRail, said: “My thanks and congratulations to the entire project team involved in the Crystal Palace blockade. The team has worked seamlessly to plan and deliver these works safely and on programme.
“Our focus now shifts to future works planned in 2024, including renewals from Salfords to Horley, works at Lee Loop to Mottingham and at Guildford Viaduct, as well as the upcoming blockade at Bradford Abbas.”
The work formed part of Network Rail’s Sussex Railway Upgrade plan to modernise the railway network to improve passenger journeys across Sussex.
Between 2024 – 2029, Network Rail is investing £900m as part of the Sussex Railway Upgrades to modernise track, signalling, stations, structures and earthworks.
As part of Southern Renewals Enterprise (SRE), VolkerRail is the track delivery partner for SID, as part of an innovative new model established to deliver the southern region’s £9bn renewals portfolio between 2024 and 2034.