Railtrack to update West Anglia signals

by Glenda Thisdell



Railtrack is investing £185m in renewing signalling on the southern end of its West Anglia route.

Teaming up with Railtrack is a consortium comprising: signal designers Westinghouse, an Amec/Spie Rail alliance that will do overhead line work, contractor Alfred McAlpine and track maintenance specialist GrantRail.

The 40-year-old line from Liverpool Street to Elsenham in north-west Essex including lines to Chingford, Enfield Town, the Southbury loop, Herford East and Stansted Airport, is the last arterial route into London to be controlled by electro-mechanical signalling. Work is being divided into six stages spread out over five years with the last stage in Hertfordshire starting in 2004.

Railtrack East Anglia zone director Ray Price said: "We have had to start our work now, but will plan it so that enhancements can be added.

"An additional track could be needed between Cheshunt and Broxbourne and a second tunnel into Stansted Airport is likely to be needed before 2012, also demand created by the planned new stadium at Picketts Lock will needed to be incorporated into these proposals."