|
Channel
Tunnel Rail Link Terminus Development:
Background
The Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) is the UK’s
first major new railway for over a century; a high speed line running
for 109km (68 miles) between St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel.
London & Continental Railways (LCR) is the company responsible
for the construction, operation and finance of the CTRL. However,
Rail Link Engineering (RLE) is a consortium of engineering shareholders
in LCR (Bechtel Ltd, Ove Arup & Partners, Sir. William Halcrow
& Partners Ltd and Systra) which are responsible for the design
and project management of the rail link
Construction
Details
The new high speed line is being built in 2 Sections
(Image 1). Construction of Section 1 began in October 1998 and
runs between
the Channel Tunnel and Fawkham Junction in north Kent, and opened
in September 2003. Work on Section 2 began in July 2001 and completes
the new line into London's St Pancras. Section 2 is on schedule
for completion by the end of 2006.
New
International Terminus
The
new railway's London terminus will be will be substantially expanded
while retaining the famous neogothic
Victorian structure,
to create a new international gateway to London.
The King’s Cross Partnership explain that the major
construction tasks will be the creation of an extended station
deck to take the 425-metre Eurostar and domestic trains (Image
2), the construction
of a new sub-surface station for the Thameslink cross London
regional rail service, and connections to the London underground
station.
The foundation of the new Thameslink station is being built underneath
St Pancras station,
below Midland Road. In Addition, the historic St Pancras Chambers
at the front of the station will be restored in part to its original
use as a deluxe hotel whilst the upper part of the building will
become residential apartments (Image
3). Thus, when the development is finished
St Pancras station will provide: six international Eurostar platforms;
three domestic platforms; Thameslink station; Midland Mainline
station; and links to underground services.
|
