Introduction
An important part of a six billion pound regeneration project for Enfield in North London that will see the construction of ten thousand new homes. The Meridian Water railway station replaces the old and somewhat derelict Angel Street on the Lea Valley line, part of the West Anglia mainline. Currently there are four platforms, but only three are operational at present, Platform One having been set aside for Crossrail 2.
The station was designed by ARUP, Akins, and the architects KCA, and its construction was the result of a collaboration between Network Rail and its contractor Volkerfitzpatrick, who are handling most of the massive railway regeneration programme in London and the surrounding areas.
About the Project
Volkerfitzpatrick used one of their most favoured contractors, Shay Murtagh Pre-Cast Concrete, to design, manufacture and deliver the precast units that make up much of this modern and attractive station. Shay Murtagh handled the supply of concrete columns, spine beams, TY3 bridge beams, wall panels, stairs, glass-reinforced concrete permanent formwork and slabs.
John Baker, a consultant for the London Borough of Enfield, commented: “one of the most impressive parts of the delivery has been the precast concrete slabs, which not only has allowed the station to be delivered quickly but has also made sure we’ve got a really high-quality fair-faced concrete finish.”
3D modelling formed an important part of the design and planning phase. The delivery of the pre-cast units as and when they have required needed careful collaboration between all the teams involved in the actual construction. Fortunately, Shay Murtagh is very experienced in this field, and their logistics specialists handled the planning and execution with their usual seamless expertise.
Conclusion
In conclusion the station was opened in early June 2019, and is an attractive landmark at the centre of the borough, as well as being a convenient crossing point for cyclists and pedestrians, and, of course, a gateway to London for the many thousands of people who use this greatly improved area of transport infrastructure.