Crossrail

Crossrail awards signalling system contract
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date 12 November 2012 -- Crossrail
source Crossrail
type Press release

By Peter MacLennan

Crossrail has awarded the signalling system contract for the railway’s central section to a consortium comprising Siemens PLC and Invensys Rail Limited.

The contract covers the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of a train control system for Crossrail’s central section.

Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail’s Chief Executive said: “Crossrail is now in a position to award the main signalling contract which is the first of our railway systems contracts. Crossrail will operate up to 24 trains per hour during the peak between Whitechapel and Paddington. The new signalling system will incorporate Automatic Train Operation to support the delivery of a high-frequency metro service and will also be capable of enhancement to 30 trains per hour through the central section at a later date.”

The contract also includes commitments to provide apprenticeships and job opportunities for Londoners. Siemens will be required to create around 20 apprenticeships and new job start roles for individuals who are long-term unemployed or out of education or training for six months or more during the life of their contract.

It is a requirement that all of the new job starts be taken up by individuals living within Greater London or within one mile of the Crossrail route. Siemens will also be required to provide 500 days of work experience and placement opportunities for young people.

Ends

For further information contact the press office on 020 3229 9552 or email pressoffice@crossrail.co.uk


Notes to Editor:

The value of C620 contract is in the region of £50m.

Crossrail will be adopting a Communications Based Train Control signalling system as it is technically and operationally proven and is successfully used by many metro systems around the world.

On 21 September 2011, Crossrail confirmed the shortlist for the C620 Signalling System contract. The following organisations were subsequently invited to submit bids:

o Bombardier Transportation UK Limited
o Invensys Rail Limited
o Siemens PLC
o Signalling Solutions Limited
o Thales Transportation and Solutions Limited

Bombardier Transportation UK Limited withdrew from the shortlist in March 2012 and did not submit a bid.

Having prequalified for the C620 contract as separate entities in September 2011, Invensys Rail Limited and Siemens PLC submitted a combined bid which was a permissible approach under the procurement rules for all bidders.

The new signalling system will be installed along the Crossrail route between Portobello Junction (west of Paddington) on the Great Western Main Line, Pudding Mill Lane Junction on the Great Eastern Main Line in the east and Abbey Wood in the south-east.

Crossrail’s services will operate in Automatic Train Operation (ATO) mode with Automatic Train Protection (ATP) in the central operating section from Portobello Junction to Pudding Mill Lane / Abbey Wood.

Due to the integration of Crossrail’s central section with the existing National Rail network, Crossrail services will need to operate with existing signalling and safety systems installed at either end of the Crossrail tunnels.

The successful contractor will work closely with the future rolling stock provider to deliver compatible on-board equipment. In accordance with normal practice, the rolling stock will also be capable of operating with the European standard ETCS Level 2 signalling system and with the principal legacy signalling systems found on UK rail infrastructure.

As Crossrail’s central section is subject to the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2006, Crossrail sought non-application of the Technical Specification for Interoperability (TSI). This was conditionally granted with a Commission Implementing Decision in January 2012 followed by a UK decision the following month. Provision has been made to plan for the migration from the CBTC system (that will be installed) to the ERTMS system to enable ETCS level 3 to operate.

About Crossrail:

The total funding envelope available to deliver Crossrail is £14.8bn.

Crossrail will run 118 km from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21 km tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. It will bring an additional 1.5 million people within 45 minutes commuting distance of London's key business districts.

When Crossrail opens it will increase London's rail-based transport network capacity by 10%, supporting regeneration across the capital, helping to secure London's position as a world leading financial centre, and cutting journey times across the city.

Crossrail is being delivered by Crossrail Limited (CRL). CRL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London. Crossrail is jointly sponsored by the Department for Transport and Transport for London.

Railhub Archive ::: 2012-11-12 CRO-001