Spencer Rail and Network Rail are celebrating after winning a national industry award for their work at Gravesend station in Kent.
The Gravesend station remodelling scheme won the Best Large Project of the Year award at the Railway Industry Innovation Awards 2014.
Spencer Rail was the principal contractor commissioned by Network Rail to design, manage and deliver the multi-million pound project, which formed the final stage of the Kent Train Lengthening Programme.
The works included building an extra platform at the station and track realignment to accommodate the growing number of commuters to London. This needed to be long enough for 12-car trains, which also meant extending the existing two platforms.
Tom Kerins, Operations Director at Spencer Rail and the Programme Director on the Gravesend project, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won such a prestigious national award. It is a fantastic achievement by our team, Network Rail and our supply chain partners who delivered a new station for the people of Gravesend.
“The main construction phase of the project was primarily delivered over a 15-day blockade between December 22, 2013, and January 6, 2014. The works, which involved meticulous design and planning, were truly multidisciplinary and showcased our wide-ranging experience and expertise.
“The project has unlocked capacity improvements in Kent which will provide more space and seats for passengers. This is crucial to the overall passenger satisfaction on one of the busiest commuter routes in and out of London. It has provided a more modern infrastructure for all passengers using the station, a key part of which is the ‘Access for All’ lifts on each platform.
“As you would expect, there has been a tremendous amount of hard work put in by the team and I am thrilled that it has been highlighted as a model of best practice. Congratulations to all involved.”
The initial work consisted of undertaking surveys, identifying any buried services that could cause problems, and clearing redundant equipment from the site which is in a cut in the busy town centre.
The more detailed scope of works included:
· Remodelled the track layout throughout the station
· Constructed a new Island platform and canopy
· Extended existing platforms 1 & 2
· Removed the existing footbridge and water tower base
· Constructed a new Access for All compliant footbridge (an historic item it was saved and sent to the East Kent heritage railway) with lifts serving all platforms
· Undertook Modular Control System (MCS incl. TD & SPAD alarms) changes at Ashford IECC
· Solid State interlocking (SSI) changes (NG & NH) interlocking areas
· Cab Secure Radio (CSR), GSM-R and ARS changes to reflect new layout
· Interface with CTRL Route Control Centre System (RCCS) for services to HS1
· Enhanced Station Systems (PA, CCTV, DOO, CISS, etc.)
The Railway Industry Innovation Awards, organised by Modern Railways and run in conjunction with the Fourth Friday Club, is the longest standing award scheme in the industry.
