Nichols have been working with Crossrail for 25 years. Our unique expertise and experience in all aspects of strategy and programme management has helped guide this transformational concept from vision to reality. When it opens in 2018, Crossrail will be a world class railway.
Challenge
This £14.8bn railway construction programme will provide a high-frequency passenger service linking parts of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire in the west to Essex and the South East via central London.
In 2009, following Royal Assent, Crossrail appointed Transcend, a joint venture between Nichols, AECOM and CH2M Hill as their Programme Partner. In this role we act as strategic adviser and an extension of the client’s team. We bring world class professionals with expertise in all aspects of programme management, helping Crossrail to deliver the new railway successfully, on time and within budget.
Experience
We established the initial control baseline and successfully steered the programme through the Sponsor Review Points. This was a significant challenge given the complexity of the legal and contractual arrangements, and the multiple stakeholders. We were also instrumental in ensuring that the budget for the initiative secured approval as part of the 2010 coalition government’s Comprehensive Spending Review.
Nichols has helped Crossrail create a strong Integrated Programme Team. We have developed a framework for managing compliance with parliamentary commitments and establishing processes for stakeholder engagement, schedule integration, risk and change management, assurance, programme controls and reporting. We were responsible for the award winning Rolling Stock and Depot procurement activities including development of tender documentation and bid evaluation. We have conducted a number of capability reviews, implemented improvement plans and currently lead Crossrail’s exciting innovation programme.
Benefits
Crossrail successfully passed all review points and its budget was confirmed as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, allowing it to begin full-scale implementation.
We have made a significant contribution in establishing a culture of constant self-challenge and through our innovation we ensure that Crossrail leaves a true legacy for future infrastructure projects.
We are continuing in our role as Programme Partner and look forward to supporting Crossrail as it transitions from construction into operation, opening in 2018.
To read more about our involvement in making Crossrail a reality, please see Crossrail Early Years.
