Pudding Mill Lane job similar in size to join venture’s £15m Royal Oak contract win

A joint venture between Costain and Skanska has won its second Crossrail contract as part of its enabling works framework for the construction of the Pudding Mill Lane portal in east London.

A statement from the pair said the contract was similar in value, scope and size to a £15m deal it won for the Royal Oak portal in March, which was the first tunnel-related construction contract for Crossrail.

Pudding Mill Lane Portal, which is close to Stratford and next to the existing DLR and overland railway, will act as the transition ramp for Crossrail trains when entering and exiting the north east section of the central London tunnels.

Work will begin immediately and is scheduled for completion in summer 2011.

Andrew Wyllie, chief executive of Costain, said: “To have secured another contract on Crossrail so soon after the Royal Oak contract is excellent news for Costain and reflects our recognised skills and capabilities in this arena.”

The win comes in a week of intense speculation over the future scope and delivery timetable for the capital’s £16bn east-west rail link. Despite the fact new transport secretary Philip Hammond has backed the scheme in principle, many expect the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government to make cost savings.