Plans to extend Crossrail to Hertfordshire

With huge ongoing government investment in the UK’s infrastructure, we are have lots of exciting construction jobs in this sector. An example of the scale of the opportunities is evidenced in the fact that over 11,000 people at more than 40 sites are employed in the CrossRail development alone!

HS2 is no mean economic boost to the job market either. It will reputedly create 30,000 permanent jobs just in the West Midlands. During the development there will be thousands more opportunities especially for station redevelopment in London and Manchester in particular.

Crossrail Expands its Reach
Last month Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced proposals to extend Crossrail into Hertfordshire. This extension of Crossrail would have two main considerations: getting commuters from the county into the City and other parts of London faster than rail and tube, saving on average 15 minutes per journey. It would also mean the commuters would avoid the necessity to change at Euston which would help with plans to redevelop Euston Station in line with Kings Cross and St Pancras for the HS2 project.

A feasibility study will consider how commuters from Hertfordshire stations Tring, Hemel Hempstead, Harrow, Watford and Wealdstone would improve their journey time and alleviate congestion. The direct Crossrail link from Hertfordshire to London would use a new link between Old Oak Common and the West Coast Main Line.

Easing the Pressure
The Transport Secretary openly admitted that this move would ease the pressure on the upgrades to Euston Station in what he described as ‘once in a generation’ opportunities for the rail infrastructure. The last time our rail infrastructure received so much investment was during Victorian times.

Pressure on tube services on the Northern and Victoria lines would also be relieved as commuters from Hertfordshire would have direct links to the City and Canary Wharf with the new development.

Planned changes aren’t expected to change the timetable or services planned for Crossrail which is due to be operational by 2019. Rather taking Crossrail into Hertfordshire is likely to boost the local economy and jobs market.

This new route will provide an increase of 10% capacity for rail into London bringing four trains seating 1,500 commuters each at peak times. Farringdon will be at its heart as more than 150,000 people are estimated to use this interchange to access other services such as Thameslink, the Tube and Crossrail in the future.

Working in HarmonyThe Hertfordshire extension is generally considered a good move and one that takes into account both of the big developments and how they can work together to provide better and faster services. This is certainly the view of the Infrastructure Director at London First, David Leam. He is keen that the proposals will make it clear to potential users just how the new services may benefit them or in the worst case scenario, be detrimental to their journeys. This way clear decisions can be made about the development.

He added, “Delivering Crossrail on time and on budget must continue to be the top priority.”

Job opportunities for UK QS, engineers and project managers
This extension to Crossrail opens up more opportunities in the UK job market in engineering, construction and quantity surveying.

Make Maxim Recruitment your focus if you are looking for jobs at the top of your game in UK infrastructure projects. Get your CV over to us and keep in touch with us to see what is on offer. Give us a call on 0870 243 0446 to chat about what you are looking for and up-coming opportunities.