The contract, at Northumberland Park Depot, in Tottenham North London, was to construct an Underfloor Wheel Lathe Facility for London Underground: Infraco BCV. The site of the works was an old siding, approximately 180m long by 20m wide, with live railway tracks on either side, an LUL stabling shed to one side and the main line to Stansted on the other. The vehicular access was via a single entrance which was only 20m away from a very busy level crossing.
Works included 4m deep drainage, bored piling, a sheet piled cofferdam adjacent to the Stansted express railway, formwork, reinforced concrete, steelframe structure, scaffolding, cladding, M&E installation, external works and internal and external track works. There were accommodation works including toilets, showers, mess facilities and changing rooms.
In addition to our own works, we were required to carry out the role of Principal Contractor liaising with LUL and numerous other Infraco BCV contractors, including a number of German contractors installing the Wheel Lathe and height adjustment station.
Logistically this presented real challenges due to these contractors not being conversant with British Health and Safety legislation. There was a good relationship between all parties with a high standard of safety being achieved. There were no "lost time accidents" and the site team received the regional annual safety award for 2001.
The contract was carried out with an excellent team spirit and co-operation between all parties. Interserve site staff have been commended on the manner in which the contract has been carried out by both LUL depot staff and Infraco BCV engineering staff:
Procurement Route: Traditional
Sector: Rail
Value: £3.3 million
