c

JLE’s NEW GATEWAY AT STRATFORD STATION

Press release 27/04/1999 00:00 CET

Completion of the Jubilee Line Extension moved a step closer last week when Kvaerner Construction handed over the stylish new-look Stratford Railway Station in East London.

Stratford was the last major station contract to be awarded on the new line and is one of the first of 11 new stations to be transferred to London Underground.

Following examination by Her Majesty’s Rail Inspectorate, trial operations have now commenced. The new station is among London’s busiest rail links, serving not only as the eastern gateway for the JLE, but as an interchange for the Central Line, Great Eastern Railway, Silverlink, Docklands Light Railway and, arriving in 2001, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Designed by Chris Wilkinson the station’s centrepiece is an elliptical roof structure rising above a fully-glazed street-level entrance providing an open and uplifting environment using a combination of shot-peened stainless steel, high quality precast concrete, glass and terrazzo. The main concourse spans the North London Rail Line, with escalators and glazed-box lifts operating between ground and upper levels.

The interchange with the existing railway has been formed via a new subway consisting of two 22-metre concrete box sections that were slid into position beneath the existing platforms and tracks. Stephen Fallace JLE’s senior supervising engineer described the project as "a wonderful engineering achievement, without a single interruption to services beyond scheduled weekend engineering work."

Having completed the concourse, ticket halls and operations rooms, Kvaerner Construction can now focus on the final stage of work, upgrading and refurbishing platform and retail areas as well as installing three passenger lifts for mobility impaired people.

END

For further information contact:Cheryl Eaton, PR Manager - 01923 423 030Tanya Barnes, PR Officer - 01923 423 905