Westinghouse to Signal ‘whitecity’ Development

Westinghouse to Signal ‘whitecity’ Development

Westinghouse Rail Systems Limited (WRSL) announced today that it has been awarded the contract by main contractor, Multiplex to carry out the resignalling works at the ‘whitecity’ development in West London.

Situated opposite BBC’s television studios, the new development will provide both retail and leisure space; consisting of multi storey retail facilities, a leisure centre and a range of food outlets. A landmark development, whitecity promises to be a significant addition to the London sky line.

Projects of this scale always pose significant engineering and construction challenges. However, the added complexity at whitecity is that part of the main London Underground Central Line runs right through it; it also includes the White City sidings.

To facilitate the planned development of the site, it was identified that the siding interface to the main line had to be changed - the sidings themselves having to be taken out of service, and a new set of sidings brought into use.

The new sidings will eventually be constructed in a large concrete subterranean ‘box’ which is currently under construction. Once complete, the box lid will be placed on and new trackside signalling equipment will be passed through ‘holes’ in the lid ready for installation.

A new Signalling Equipment Room will also be built adjacent to the new sidings to house the new WESTRACE interlocking and associated equipment and provide an interface with the existing White City interlocking.

The new sidings will be controlled from the existing Central Line Control Center.

Effectively, the ground above the box will then become part of the main development; at this point, the sidings will transfer from being an over ground to an under ground facility.

WRSL has worked closely with Multiplex for the past two years developing the scheme, completing minor works and generally enabling the contract that has now been signed.