We will be making regular updates in this section of the website, providing you with the latest news and views from key people within the industry. Our first interview is with Terry Morgan, the Chairman of Crossrail.
Please email Cara with any comments you may have, they may appear on the website.
Interview with Terry Morgan, Chairman of Crossrail
August 2010
How confident are you that Crossrail will come through the current Spending Review more or less intact? And how has the funding mix withstood recent economic upheavals?
As the new coalition Government has consistently stated, Crossrail is going ahead, construction is already underway and the scope of the project including the Abbey Wood branch remains unchanged. We fully recognise that Crossrail’s £15.9bn cost is a significant investment – particularly during times of severe public sector spending restraint – and so we must deliver value for money.
The funding mix can better withstand economic upheavals owing to the fair balance it strikes in contributions from all those will benefit – businesses, passengers and taxpayers. Indeed, 60% of Crossrail’s £15.9bn costs are funded by Londoners and London-based business through direct contributions from the City of London, BAA, Canary Wharf Group and a London Business Rates Supplements and planning development levy.
And following on from that, do you feel that the date of 2017 for the start of services will still apply, assuming no unexpected construction problems.
Yes – preparatory works took place throughout 2009; main construction has started; we are now preparing to start on the central tunnels and Crossrail is scheduled to commence operations in 2017.
What is the value of Crossrail contracts already awarded?
In the two years following the passing of the Crossrail Act in July 2008, we spent £1.16bn on Crossrail as a whole. Investment in Crossrail is now running at around £100m every month.
In your presentation at Infrarail 2010 you expected the first tunnelling contracts to be awarded by the middle of this year, enabling this work to start in 2011. Can you provide an update on this process?
As of summer 2010 we are out to tender for all of the central section tunnels with bids for Western running tunnels returned (C300) and bids for the Eastern tunnels (C305), Western and Eastern Stations (C410 & C510) and the Thames Tunnel (C310) due soon. We are looking to award the first tunnelling contract early in the new year.
Can you give an outline of the signalling technology to be used on the core section of Crossrail?
Our signalling system is being designed to meet the high frequency traffic of central section. We are working on the basis that when underground, ‘in-cab’ technology with Automatic Train Protection will be adopted, in which drivers control trains based upon indications provided in the train by the signalling system, rather than by conventional lineside signals. The system will be capable of integrating with Network Rail's systems on the Great Eastern and Great Western main lines, to allow seamless end-to-end running. To help regularise the service and facilitate a consistent driving style, Automatic Train Operation will also be provided.
What is the status of the planned Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA) at Aldersbrook near Ilford, and when will the first students commence courses?
Planning permission was granted for the Aldersbrook site earlier this year by the London Boroughs of Newham and Redbridge. Enabling works for TUCA are currently taking place on site and the Academy should be completed in summer 2011.
Due to the timing and urgency of the Crossrail programme of work, training at TUCA will initially be provided to people working on Crossrail sites. In addition to Crossrail contractors, the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy will provide training for contractors working on other major tunnelling projects, such as those for London Underground, Thames Water, EDF, National Grid and international tunnelling clients including Dublin Metro.
Which organisation will be responsible for Crossrail rolling stock procurement and are you able to provide an insight into current thinking on whether an existing or new train design is preferred?
Crossrail Limited will manage the procurement process and we will be starting the early stages of the tendering process for the rolling stock and depot services later this year. It is intended that Transport for London, through TfL London Rail, will let the contract.
The Crossrail rolling stock is likely to be based upon trains developed for deployment on other railways since a new train developed solely from scratch is less likely to deliver good value for money.
What do you now see as the greatest challenges facing Crossrail?
Crossrail is clearly a very complex project, not only in engineering terms, but in the vast number of people who have a stake in the programme: sponsors, funders, works partners, contractors, local communities and our future passengers.
One particular issue we have been working hard to address is how we can create lasting skills and employment for the community we serve. In July, we launched our Skills and Employment Strategy, which sets out how local people will be provided with opportunities to work on its construction. Up to 14,000 people will be employed at the peak of construction between 2013 and 2015, and we have committed to delivering at least 400 apprenticeships through our supply chain over the lifetime of the project. These measures will give Londoners the chance to build and benefit from Crossrail even before the first trains are open for service.