Crossrail Works in SE London Pick Up

A comment was recently left on a previous blog post about a plan to build a large new maintenance facility for Crossrail trains in Plumstead. The plan is for a temporary facility to be used whilst construction is ongoing, and for it to then become a large permanent base for 11 trains. This was news to me, and I have been following the scheme quite closely.

Crossrail Sidings

The person commenting raised questions about the handling of this major project by Crossrail and Greenwich Borough –

” Crossrail are applying to have the train stabling and maintenance site just off Church Manor Way. This takes away land from the Church Manor way allotments and sports ground. The potential environmental impact of this on the local area is alarming. Trains coming back and forth from 4.30 am until midnight, potentially major noise, light, pollution run off from the site. They are currently consulting on this and hoping they don’t have to go to a have a Parliamentary Inquiry. Greenwich Council closed the consultation on the planning application for the access road to build this BEFORE they held a meeting with the allotment holders.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/Part-1-Item14-CRL-Plumstead-TWAO.pdf
You can see the application here.
This is a new proposal as originally the sidings were going to be at Old Oak Common in west London. I was at consultation the meeting last night. There will be 8 trains ‘Stables’ and a maintenance and cleaning facilities.”

This does appear to be a large scheme that has slipped in under the radar. Here is what Crossrail say on their website –

” TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION WORKS AT PLUMSTEAD

Crossrail has applied to the Royal Borough of Greenwich for planning permission to build temporary railway sidings at the White Hart Triangle, Plumstead and propose to use these between 2013 and 2017 in order to install various railway systems (e.g. track, signals, power cables) along the length of the Crossrail tunnels. 

PROPOSED CROSSRAIL SIDINGS AT PLUMSTEAD

When the temporary work is finished, Crossrail then proposes to convert the site into a permanent base from which the Crossrail network can be maintained and where trains can be stationed when not in use. The plan shows the area needed and how it could be used.  

The construction of these works will take place between mid 2017 to early 2019 when the permanent sidings and maintenance facility will become fully operational.

This proposed facility will act as the main base for the trains which will be required to maintain Crossrail’s new tunnels beneath Central London and will include 3 railway sidings for maintenance trains. 

It is also proposed to stable 8 passenger trains on the site.   The site will also include staff accommodation, a maintenance building, storage areas, a train refuelling point, a train wash and staff car park.

If it’s approved, when open in 2019, the new depot will operate on a 24 hour/7 days a week basis.  Crossrail estimates that about 200 employees will work there, including train drivers, cleaners, engineers and maintenance staff. “

The plans are up before the councils planning committee next Tuesday 25th June at 6:30pm in Rooms 4 & 5 at the Town Hall in Wellington Street, Woolwich. The full agenda can be seen by clicking here.

This is a major scheme adjoining allotments and a sports ground. It is mostly away from residential areas, though Marmadon Road in Plumstead may experience increased noise and lighting. A positive is the employment opportunities the new sidings present.

Information can be derived from –

E-mail: Helpdesk@crossrail.co.uk

Call the 24-hour, 7 days a week helpdesk on 0345 602 3813

 

 

In other news the demolition and rebuilding of Abbey Wood station to accommodate Crossrail will commence in September, far sooner than I expected.

Image

I still havn’t seen any final plans of the building. The images above were in planning documents for the new development next to the station, but have not been seen elsewhere. Negotiations have been ongoing for years between Crossrail and the locals boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley, who saw previous designs as unacceptable. The design is crucial in improving the public realm in Abbey Wood, connecting the existing row of shops with the new Sainsbury’s being built on the other side of the line, and improving the interchange between buses and the station. The parade of shops in Abbey Wood Village has been starved of funds and neglected for years, and the existing walkways and stairs an ugly concrete blot.

There is an open day about the plans on Thursday 11th July at Knee Hill community centre in Abbey Wood. The station car park is due to close imminently to become the base of the construction site.

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J Smith

I've lived in south east London most of my life growing up in Greenwich borough and working in the area for many years. The site has contributors on occasion and we cover many different topics. Living and working in the area offers an insight into what is happening locally.

0 thoughts on “Crossrail Works in SE London Pick Up

  • Great blog, your insight is very thought provoking and i thank you for taking time to share your thoughts especially not being familiar with the areas.

    In your opinion which areas in south east London can you see growing the quickest and appealing to new residents coming into the area such as young professionals etc? Crossrail will only help enhance the appeal for commuters to reside here for cheaper level but I guess to a degree there needs to be interest for them to want to stay such as adequate bars, restaurants etc (stoke newington like for example)

    Reply
  • Ive just had a letter from Grennwich council telling me they are going to remove me from my allotment at church manor way. ive only had it 9 months, it was overgrown and ive spent the summer clearing it. it seems i have weeds on it and im going to lose it. somehow im not suprised.

    Reply
    • That sounds out of order – I don’t recall the Crossrail plans encroaching on allotments and that has been kept quiet. Did they explicitly say it was due to the Crossrail maintenance plant?

      Reply
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