As an important interchange for both the Hammersmith & City and District Lines and London Overground, the newly refurbished Whitechapel station will be an integral element of the Elizabeth line, with services running every two and a half minutes at peak times.
Featuring a design approach that weaves the new Elizabeth line station between the existing transport services to an elevated station concourse that acts as a bridge to improve community links, the full route will allow passengers to travel through to Paddington, Heathrow or Reading in the west and Shenfield or Abbey Wood in the east.
The station’s construction includes a spacious new ticket hall located on a bridge above the Victorian railway, which will provide access to all interchange services. The refurbishment of the original entrance on Whitechapel Road will also provide entry into the station, whilst a second entrance constructed at the northern end of the station will improve connectivity.
As part of the construction process, 900 of Howe Green’s 7500 Series Floor Access Covers in standard and bespoke depths have been specified and installed by official Crossrail sub-contractor and one of the UK’s leading fit-out contractors, DMC Contract.
Supplied in single, duct and multipart configurations, the resilient steel floor access covers have been installed throughout all areas of the station, including the new ticket hall and station concourse, to provide secure and concealed access to under-floor services.
Sweeping from Whitechapel Road over the east-west Underground lines and above the north-south Overground lines before lowering under the road bridge at Durward Street, the new station concourse provides access to all platforms.
Positioned on steel struts and resting on the brick arches of the Overground cutting, the raised concourse is strategically positioned to ‘float’ within the space, enabling daylight and fresh air to filter down to the Overground platforms to create a calm and open environment for passengers.
Howe Green’s durable 7500 Series Floor Access Covers were specified in standard and bespoke depths in conjunction with Granazzo floor tiles, to create a streamlined visual appeal, whilst also delivering the highest standard in safety and security.
Suitable for up to 5 tonne pneumatic tyre wheel loads, the medium-duty floor access covers will also withstand heavy footfall throughout all areas of the station with ease, whilst the easy lift mechanism will ensure minimal disruption to passengers when engineers are accessing underground services.
Conor McCann, Director at DMC Contract, said: “The redevelopment of Whitechapel station was a significant project for both ourselves and the team at Howe Green. The sheer size of the development required a significant quantity of floor access covers to provide consistent and secure access through every area of the vast station.
“By working in close partnership with Howe Green, we were able to ensure each project specification was successfully met. The end result is a flooring installation that not only reflects the polished, calming aesthetic of the entire station, but is also functional, safe and compliant.”
Manufactured to BS 476: Part 22, the 7500 Series Floor Access Covers provide resistance to fire and smoke for up to two hours, eliminating the potential transmission of smoke and fire from the underground services in the event of a fire. This was a key consideration throughout the specification process, to ensure the access solutions provide the highest standards in safety and performance throughout all areas of the station.
Chris George, Business Development Manager at Howe Green, said: “Our relationship with DMC Contract spans over 15 years and it was a real privilege to be able to collaborate together on such an iconic and significant infrastructure project.
“The design of the new Whitechapel Station required bespoke specifications, which our inhouse team of design and engineering experts in Hertfordshire were able to quickly and successfully accommodate, to ensure a functional yet visually appealing finish.”
For further information on Howe Green’s complete range of floor access solutions call 01920 463230.
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Member-created content 1 year ago | From members