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Station refurbishment
engineering, to design an air-handling unit
installation and removal system (Airs).
The Airs would be attached to a standard
maintenance wagon and, along with the
air-handling unit, transported to a station
where it would be used to lift and install
the air-handling units onto the support
structures attached to the tunnel ceilings.
Follow-up work included analysis of
the vibration that the air-handling unit
would experience during transportation,
as well as the assessment of tunnel size
clearances. Stability of the system during
installation of the air-handling units was
a key issue, as the heavy mass is positioned
over the platform while being lifted into
the roof of the tunnel ceiling. The Airs
was designed so that the station platform
was not used to support any weight
during installation and removal, saving
considerable time in not having to protect
the platform and eliminating the risk
from damage, which could affect train
operations.
‘LU knew that the PAHUs would
provide the cooling needed, but how to
get the units into the right position had to
be carefully thought through. By taking
this project forward, a cooler environment
is now becoming a reality for both
passengers and staff on the London
Underground network,’ Wilson adds.
SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP!
Multi-million pound investments in station redevelopment are bringing new
opportunities for stations to generate income by leasing retail space. Network Rail
figures show that trading figures for station retailers have outstripped the high street
throughout the recession and consider to see growth.
King’s Cross opened its new concourse to the public earlier this year, transforming the
passenger experience by bringing two dozen retail outlets to a station that only had a handful
of shops and food kiosks before. Passengers at King’s Cross can now while away their time
eating and drinking in Prezzo, relaxing in Starbucks, shopping in Watermark or revisiting old
favourites such as M&S or WH Smith.
Ian Fry, Network Rail’s King’s Cross
programme director, says: ‘Research
tells us that passengers consistently
rate high-quality facilities alongside
convenient retail and catering as
important station priorities. The new
concourse at King’s Cross is designed to
provide those facilities which will make
journeys easier for passengers as well as
appealing to those who like to combine
their travel with a bit of shopping, eating
or drinking.’
King’s Cross is not the only big station to begin rivalling local shopping centres with its
retail opportunities, St Pancras was transformed five years ago, while Waterloo has just had a
new balcony added with an extra 20,000 sq ft of retail space. New retailers at Waterloo include
Yo! Sushi, Fat Face, Hotel Chocolat, Oliver Bonas, Links of London, Thomas Pink and Joules.
Further additions will include Italian eatery, Carluccio’s, Kiehl’s Sports Bar & Grill, Benugo and
new concept bar The Cabin, which will be opening soon. Once all the new units are open, the
retail capacity within the station will total 55,000 sq ft incorporating 38 stores.
Acoustic Secondary Glazing
from the
Noise Mitigation Specialist
Page 30 september 2012