Crossrail eyes T5 payment deal

Officials heading the £16bn Crossrail project are considering implementing a major projects agreement (MPA) similar to the one used at BAA’s Heathrow Terminal 5.

The T5 pay deal saw electricians and steel workers earn salaries of over £55,000 a year in return for meeting stringent performance targets.

A Crossrail spokesman said it was 'looking into using the MPA', but that it was still early days, reported Building magazine

Although an independent survey revealed 88% of those involved in T5 found the MPA beneficial, it has not been used on any other project since and was rejected by the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Meanwhile, developer Hammerson has been forced to give up one of its central London sites for use by Crossrail, reported Construction News.

Hammerson had been planning to build an 18-storey office tower next to Paddington Station, but Cross London Rail Links opposed the development and will now purchase the site under a compulsory purchase order. The so-called 'Triangle site' will be used for work space and taxi access to the mainline station.

In related news, Building Design reports that former Cabe design review chairman Les Sparks will rejoin the watchdog to head a panel charged with overseeing the design development of Crossrail stations.

The panel includes Make founder Ken Shuttleworth plus advisers from Cabe and English Heritage, and will assess proposals on a continuous basis starting in January.