Transport for London (TfL) is advertising for a contractor to build the £263m extension of the London Overground to Barking Riverside, east London's largest housing development.
The 4.5km extension of the Gospel Oak to Barking line will link the new scheme to the capital’s public transport network through connections at Barking, with London Underground lines and c2c services to London Fenchurch Street and Essex.
The 'indicative masterplan, for the Barking Riveside scheme
TfL said the extension would ‘deliver a sustainable public transport alternative to car travel’.
Val Shawcross, deputy mayor of london for transport, said: ‘The extension of the Overground will be key to the success of the exciting new developments at Barking Riverside, with a new station built alongside 10,800 new homes, shops and restaurants, and new school and health services.
‘As we have seen in other parts of London, the extended Overground line will be an integral part of ensuring regeneration benefits everyone in the community, with excellent transport links to the rest of London and the creation of new homes and jobs.’
TfL has placed a notice with the Official Journal of the European Union seeking expressions of interest to construct the extension. A formal Invitation to tender is expected to be issued in 2017 following the completion of design work.
The follows the submission of a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to the transport secretary in March, with a public inquiry expected this autumn.
TfL said that if the TWAO was approved it could mean construction beginning in late 2017, with train services commencing in 2021.
It is providing £91m of the cost of the extension through its £360m growth fund. The majority of the £263m cost of the scheme being met by developers Barking Riverside Limited, a joint venture between the Greater London Authority and London & Quadrant housing association.
In March, Transport Network reported that the cost of the scheme had risen by around 30%, from a previous estimate of £190m.
The existing London Overground Gospel Oak to Barking line is being electrified by Network Rail, with completion due in 2017. New four-carriage electric trains will run on the route from 2018 replacing the current two-carriage diesel trains.
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
