Transport for London (TfL) has appointed four consultancy groups to develop plans for the £20Bn Crossrail 2 project, which could run south west-north east through the city from 2030.
Each group will offer specialised advice on different elements of the scheme, creating potentially scores of engineering jobs even in the early planning stages of the project with on site work hoped to start by 2020.
Arcadis Hyder – in partnership with Weston Williamson, Vinci Construction, Interfleet and First Class Partnerships and Dr Sauer & Partners – will develop proposals for engineering and technical aspects.
A joint venture of CH2M Hill and Atkins will work on strategic modelling and route development.
MTEW – a consortium comprising Mott MacDonald, Temple Group, ERM and WSP – will look at environment and sustainability.
Aecom, Weston Williamson, and Turkington Martin will work together on town planning, economic development, socio-economics and urban design.
These consultants formed part of TfL's Engineering and Project Management Framework (EPMF) and were selected following a competitive tendering process.
Construction of Crossrail 2 could start as early as 2020. The high frequency rail line is being developed jointly by TfL and Network Rail and to deliver much needed extra transport capacity in London.
TfL's Managing Director for Planning Michèle Dix CBE, who will soon become Crossrail 2 managing director, said: “The appointment of these four major consultancies is another important step in taking Crossrail 2 forward. They will work with us to help make the case for Crossrail 2 and prepare more detailed proposals for public consultation later in the summer.”
Mayor of London Boris Johnson added: “There is now real momentum behind Crossrail 2 and a growing sense that we can get it off the drawing board.”
Initial proposals for the project have been consulted on publicly and the Department for Transport is currently consulting on safeguarding along the route.