The Stevenage Turnback project was undertaken to provide a new Down Hertford Turnback line to release shuttle services from the East Coast Mainline as they were slowing down the faster LNER services. In addition to the new turnback line, a new Platform was required to accommodate the new shuttle service from Stevenage Station.

What we did:

MRC Engineering were contracted to undertake the GRIP 4 Reference System Design (AiP) and GRIP 5 Detailed Design for the SISS alterations needed to support the construction of a new Platform 5 at Stevenage Station. The scheme was the creation of a new Down Herford Turnback line into the new platform at Stevenage Station. MRC Engineering also undertook the role of Telecoms Design CRE on the scheme for the design phases. MRC Engineering later provided CRE Construction support to the project to allow the project to undertake early construction activities until the GRIP 6 Contractor was on board. This mainly consisted of supporting the PC and NR with the critical Broadwater FTN Node disconnection and relocation activities.

Project Overview:

The Stevenage Turnback project was undertaken to provide a new Down Hertford Turnback line to release shuttle services from the East Coast Mainline as they were slowing down the faster LNER services. In addition to the new turnback line a new Platform was required to accommodate the new shuttle service from Stevenage Station.

The alignment of the new turnback line impacted the lineside operational communications network. This required that a full lift and shift of the Legacy and FTN cables (Copper and Fibre) to be undertaken prior to the line being installed. In addition, Broadwater FTN Node was in the middle of the new track alignment and required disconnection with all circuits powered down and relocated to a new concrete base 8m away. The relocation also required a new mast to be installed with the old base being decommissioned post node relocation.

Our key deliverables:

• GRIP 4 RSD Design

• GRIP 5 Detailed Design

• Relocation of Main ECM FTN/FTNx Fibre, relocation of SCADA IP Fibre, Lineside FTN Copper Cabling, Lineside Legacy cabling. TDM Diversion, HABD Diversion, CAS Production, SPOT Rerouting

• CRE Design

• CRE Construction

• PC Lead Engineer for the relocation of Broadwater FTN Node

• Coordination of the Node Relocation with the PC, NRT, NR IPSNE and Route

• The Telecoms area covered Kings Cross to Hitchin, Broadwater to Hornsey and YRO

Project key deliverables/challenges:

• Minimal Impact to Operational Station

• Relocation of Broadwater FTN Node within a single 10 hour possession