VolkerRail completes major Charing Cross and Waterloo East renewal programme
VolkerRail has successfully completed one of the most significant engineering programmes delivered on the South Eastern network in recent years, helping to reopen Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations following 22 days of intensive engineering work.
Delivered as part of the Southern Renewals Enterprise alongside Network Rail, VolkerFitzpatrick and the wider ecosystem, the programme saw VolkerRail lead an extensive package of track renewal works during a rare extended closure of this vital route into central London.
The programme included the renewal of almost 2km of track and replacement of 16 sets of points, delivering critical improvements that will help support a more reliable and resilient railway. Alongside the track works, Network Rail and VolkerFitzpatrick delivered repairs and repainting to Hungerford Bridge and the Waterloo East footbridges, alongside extensive platform renewal works at Charing Cross station.
The work replaced sections of track that are up to 36 years old, helping to improve the safety, reliability and resilience of this critical route.
Months of planning and close collaboration enabled teams to maximise the 22 day possession, completing a significant volume of work while reducing the need for future disruption to passengers and freight operators using the route.
Hundreds of people worked around the clock throughout the closure, including during periods of exceptionally hot weather, to safely deliver the complex programme of works.
Paul Jones, VolkerRail project director, said: “The successful completion of this programme is a significant achievement and one that reflects months of planning, coordination and preparation.
“This project was a major engineering undertaking, and the scale of work delivered safely and efficiently by our teams is something everyone involved should be incredibly proud of.
“I'd like to thank our people, our supply chain partners and our Southern Renewals Enterprise colleagues at Network Rail and VolkerFitzpatrick for their commitment, professionalism and collaboration throughout the programme. Together, we have delivered improvements that will benefit the railway and its passengers for years to come."
Liz Baldwin, southern integrated delivery director, Southern Renewals Enterprise, said: "The successful completion of the Charing Cross and Waterloo East closure is one of the most significant achievements delivered by Southern Renewals Enterprise to date. It demonstrates the power of the Enterprise model, bringing together colleagues from across the SRE, Network Rail, Southeastern and our Ecosystem supply chain partners to safely deliver a huge volume of work in a single coordinated programme.
"I would like to thank everyone involved for their professionalism, teamwork and dedication, particularly those who worked around the clock in extremely challenging temperatures. I'd also like to thank our passengers and local communities for their patience and understanding while these vital upgrades were carried out."