Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has completed a multi-million pound, once-in-a-generation improvement scheme designed to future proof King’s Cross station and radically improve services for passengers.
Delivered alongside its Central Rail Systems Alliance (CRSA) partners, which include Network Rail, Atkins and TSO, the King's Cross Remodelling Project, which is part of the wider £1.2billion East Coast Upgrade, will allow more trains to enter and exit the station, reducing congestion and bringing more reliable journeys for passengers.
The scheme, dubbed ‘King’s Uncrossed’, which began in 2018, involved the wholesale replacement of the more than 40-year-old tracks, as well as a redesign of the track layout on the 1.5-mile approach into the station. It also saw the re-opening of a disused tunnel after 44 years to add two additional lines into the station from the north.
In total, the complex and challenging programme has seen the replacement of:
More than 6km of new track
More than 30 new sets of points
1km slab track
More than 2km track drainage
These upgrades will not only deliver improved reliability and punctuality for passengers, but will ensure the route has the capacity to deal with future passenger volumes.
Alan Atkins, King's Cross Remodelling Programme and Central Rail Systems Alliance Director said: “I am delighted that our Alliance has successfully and safely completed this incredible programme of works to remodel King's Cross Station, on schedule and to budget.
“We’re incredibly proud and privileged to have led this iconic project which will significantly benefit many passengers for years to come through increased capacity, reduced journey times and more reliable journeys.”