Wessex Capacity Alliance

The Skanska, Aecom, Colas Rail and Mott MacDonald JV was awarded the contract by Network Rail to design and construct the Waterloo and south west upgrade on the South West Trains network in the south of England. The alliance worked in collaboration to provide the full design and construction to bring the Waterloo International terminal back into use. The full extent of the project included platform modifications at Waterloo station and improvements to the outlying stations and rail systems. The rebuild at Waterloo allowed platforms 20-24 to be brought back into use with modern facilities, new track, signalling and a layout to cope with thousands of domestic passengers. The extension of platforms 1-4 allows ten-car trains to run to London suburban stations. Alongside the track-based modifications, the alliance also participated in a complex mix of activities. In addition to the repairs to the roof, a new major structure was constructed as infill roofing, a major architectural challenge, was placed between the original station roof and the Waterloo International Terminal roof. The key stages of the project saw the installation of lifts, escalators, stairways, ramps, emergency exits and gatelines, refurbishment of the ‘orchestra pit’, completion of the permanent features of the new link bridge and fitting of all mechanical and electrical services.