Sixteen Crossrail projects

VGC has played a part in sixteen Crossrail projects.

We are proud that there’s almost no section of the whole Elizabeth line, from Reading and Heathrow to Shenfield and Abbey Wood, where VGC hasn’t contributed in some way. Our contracts have included:

Systemwide fit out Royal Oak to Canary Wharf and Plumstead

We have supplied a range of skilled track operatives and supervisors to the ATC JV for the Crossrail systemwide tunnel fit out C610 since May 2015. They have installed switches and crossings, floating track slabs, and controlled tunnel ventilation installation and movements of vehicles on site.

Crossrail Anglia

As well as providing workforce to client Costain, VGC also managed three key work sections of the spur project from Stratford to Shenfield for Costain. The project, from June 2015 to December 2017, included the construction of civil engineering works packages, including bases for signalling equipment and walking routes.

Our teams installed an acoustic barrier at the Shenfield sidings, to shield local residents from noise.

And we also constructed the auto-transformer feeder (ATF) cable infrastructure as part of the electrification of the Crossrail Anglia route, and supported client Keltbray with minor civils and platform ducting.

Westbourne Park

Our 2017 contract for client Alstom Costain JV was to create the switching station to house autotransformers at Westbourne Park for Crossrail, as part of project C644.

Abbey Wood

Between January 2017 and the end of 2017 VGC supplied key labour resources to client Balfour Beatty for the Crossrail project at Abbey Wood. Our teams worked primarily on footbridges across the Plumstead end of the line, and rail replacement works.

Whitechapel station

We have provided skilled trades and labour, as well as technical and professional staff, to the Balfour Beatty Morgan Vinci joint venture enhancing Whitechapel station since April 2012. Our teams have won three BBMV health and safety awards.

Bond Street station

We started on the Crossrail works at Bond St station in January 2014. Client Costain Skanska JV named us ‘Contractor of the Year’ on Bond Street station for 2014 and 2015. After the awards system changed in 2016 we won Costain Blue status for three quarters in succession in 2016 and 2017.

Farringdon station

In January 2013 the Bam Ferrovial Kier JV engaged VGC to provide labour resources for the £200 million Farringdon station contract. Our workforce has been key to the project ever since.

Woolwich Box

VGC has supplied workers including carpenters, slingers, scaffolders, steelfixers and traffic marshals to client Balfour Beatty for this major project since October 2014.

Crossrail West outer signalling renewals

Our contribution to Crossrail started in October 2012. VGC was contracted to provide civil engineering works for client Geoffrey Osborne as part of the Crossrail West outer signalling renewals scheme, starting in October 2012. VGC works included installing more than 50 LOC bases (signalling location foundations), replacing more than 50km of pre-cast concrete troughing, and installing five 12-way crossings.

Enabling works

Our first contracts on Crossrail were enabling works in 2012, when we provided people for client Kier Bam at Whitechapel station, and in the Moorgate shaft at Liverpool Street station.

Planning ahead

By working closely with key clients, as each Crossrail contract ends, we have been able to move our teams to another project. We keep training and developing our multi-skilled people, so they can be flexible and change with shifting requirements.

And with excellent relationships with the key contractors for HS2, Heathrow, Network Rail and Highways England, among others, our people will continue to play a key part in the UK’s major infrastructure developments.