Atkins & Arup part of winning team for Crossrail...

Crossrail has chosen a consortium led by Atkins and Arup to design and manage the construction of a new station at Custom House in East London. One of the advantages offered by the plan proposed by the consortium, which also includes architectural firm Allies and Morrison, is a reduced carbon footprint. The station will be largely prefabricated off site and will be assembled at the location “similar to the way a meccano set is built”, explain Atkins and Arup. Commenting on the winning design, Atkins’ programme delivery director, Simon Layzell, said:“By maximising the use of off-site fabrication techniques we will be able to guarantee quality before assembly begins and also significantly reduce the time needed to complete the build. Also, because you are minimising the amount of material coming to site you make it a far more carbon critical design.” The contract win also includes the provision of environmental consultancy services.