Construction
This page explains our approach to managing the construction impacts of our proposals on communities and the transport network.
Managing construction impacts
In the next phase of our development of the proposals we will look at how we could build the extension and what the impact of construction could be on communities, the transport network and the environment. Part of this assessment will be how we could use the River Thames and the Strategic Road Network to remove spoil from the construction sites.
There would be a number of stages to building the extension. Once the proposals are funded and we have consent under the Transport and Works Act order to build and operate the extension, we would acquire the sites needed for construction and for running the new service. We would then clear the sites and set up the services required to start works. This is part of the ‘enabling’ works.
After the enabling works are complete, we would start to build the new tunnels, stations, turnback and tunnel portals. This phase typically has the greatest impact because it requires the largest amount of land and machinery to carry out the works.
Generic image of construction siteOnce the construction of these structures is largely complete, we would move into the ‘fit out’ stage which would get the extension ready for operational use. This stage is where we would integrate the new extension with the existing line. This is the most challenging part of delivering the extension. Finally, we would enter the final testing phases to ensure the extension can operate safely and reliably before opening the new line to passenger service.
Our experience has shown that the impact of construction can be responsibly managed, and we would keep people fully informed of our works. We will consider how we could reduce these impacts, and how we propose to mitigate them will be described in the Environmental Statement and its supporting assessments. More information can be found here.
We would develop a Code of Construction Practice which would set out controls and procedures we would use to build the extension. A Construction Traffic Management Plan would set out how we would manage the impact of construction traffic on the local road network. We would always look to minimise any negative impacts of our construction works as far as practicable.
