ICE London Civil Engineering Awards 2013
King's Cross Station - Main Train Shed Roof
Principal Contractor: Kier Infrastructure & Overseas
Client: Network Rail Infrastructure
Designer: Tata Steel Projects
The £42m project to refurbish the Main Train Shed Roof (MTSR) at King’s Cross Station was completed as part of the £550m King’s Cross Redevelopment Programme (KXRP) for Network Rail to modernise and expand the major London station for future passenger growth, whilst retaining and enhancing the Grade I listed structure for future generations.
As part of the King’s Cross redevelopment, the project team have brought this Grade I listed building back to its former Victorian glory by undertaking restoration works to an incredibly high standard and consequently promoting the heritage of one of Network Rail’s most iconic stations, one of only six Grade I stations in the country.
Other projects within the KXRP have been celebrated for their modern approach which compliments the fantastic Victorian engineering and architecture seen in the main train shed. However the restoration of the iconic roof, southern façade and clock tower deserve special recognition due to the complex technical and logistical challenges faced whilst working in a live rail environment.
The works to enhance the Grade I listed King’s Cross Roof were undertaken above an operational railway station and the historic structure was refurbished through:
- Design and installation of an innovative access / protection deck suspended from the existing structure to protect the public and operational railway from the works, and to provide safe access to the trades.
- Removal of existing roof coverings, containing asbestos, glass and ironwork.
- Grit blasting of existing lead-based paint within an enclosed environment and application of a new paint system.
- Installation of new steelwork members to strengthen the roof members and accommodate a new patent glazing and a photo-voltaic (PV) glazing system generating 175,000 kWh of renewable energy, which contributes 10% of the station’s electricity requirements.
- Installation of lightweight maintenance access walkways and gantries to allow safe inspection and maintenance of the roof, high bay lighting associated electrical installation for the PV system.
- Replacement of extensive arched windows to the façade involving extensive scaffolding and works above public areas.
- Repair and refurbishment of the iconic clock tower.
- Removal of existing gutters containing asbestos containing materials and replacement with new lead and slate gutters to meet English Heritage requirements.
- Heritage masonry repairs to enhance the life-span of the historic building.
The works to the main roof were undertaken in three phases, where the full scope of works was undertaken from the access deck. Once the works were completed the deck was moved along instantly revealing the completed works. The feedback from the travelling public during the days following the deck moves was a credit to the hard work and determination of the work force in delivering the works in such a challenging environment.
After each phase, the project team, working in collaboration with the supply chain, assessed the performance during the preceding phase and developed innovative and improved methods which resulted in improvements to productivity, logistics and health & safety.
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