Ilford station’s new entrance takes shape
The steel framework for the new station entrance building on Cranbrook Road has been completed, revealing how the modern and spacious building will integrate into the local environment.
Network Rail’s contractor, VolkerFitzpatrick, has been diligently working for months, since the site was cleared of the old building, to get it ready for the installation of the steelwork.
Almost 300 sections of steel have been delivered to the site, and installed using a tower crane to lift the large beams into position piece by piece. Pedestrians walking along Cranbrook Road cannot have missed the structure going up over the last few months, giving a glimpse of how the station will finally look.
With the steelwork now in place, the activity on site will begin to focus on installing the station roof and then the external cladding to complete the shell. Work will then move inside the station to begin the internal fit out, including all the necessary systems to operate a modern entrance for a busy station. Despite a month-long shutdown of the site earlier this year, work has been progressing, while following all Government guidance on social distancing, and the use of protective clothing and hand sanitisers.
Such measures have brought their own challenges, and the delivery programme has had to be revised, with the station entrance now expected to be completed by May 2021.
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia said: “I am really pleased that we have successfully completed the installation of the steel frame for the new station entrance, which will allow us now to focus on the roof and external shell of what will be a modern, spacious station building.
“Delivering this new station will not only be great for passengers using the future Elizabeth line services, it will also help to be a catalyst for Redbridge Council’s vision for Ilford.”
Howard Smith, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer for the Elizabeth line, said: “It’s great to see Ilford station's new entrance start to take shape. Once complete, it will provide customers with a more spacious and airy ticket hall, with new lifts helping deliver step-free access at the station for the first time.”
Andrew Bale, VolkerFitzpatrick project manager, said: “Reaching this project milestone has been a collaborative effort, and is testament to the ongoing commitment of our teams to ensure that key projects can continue throughout this pandemic. Our team is now focussed on reaching its next project goal, as it continues to provide significant improvements to the station for commuters.”