The Crossrail Project

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Running Head: EIA Report on the Crossrail Project 1

The Crossrail Project

Environmental Impact Assessment Report

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Environmental Assessment Report of the Crossrail Project

The Crossrail Project: Salient points and The Executive Summary

The Crossrail Project I the U.K. is the largest Civil Engineering Project in Europe. This highlyambitious and as much meticulously planned project aims to facilitate London Citys inhabitants

by providing them with a fast and reliable public transportation system, a built-from scratch new

rail transport system, which will connect different parts of the vast city together, in a fast andreliable way.

The Crossrail envisages 37 new stations and 28 upgraded stations. The length of the Crossrail

will be 42 kms. The tracks will be partially above the surface and partially below, through 6mts

wide tunnels. The cost budget of the project, considering all possible added expenses will be 6.9

billion pounds sterling. The Crossrail will cover a major portion of the city of London from

Paddington station to Sheffield and Abbey Wood, with a small diversification for Heathrow The

frequency of the Crossrail at peak hours has been designed at 24 trains/hour.

In the following pages, the researcher has attempted to construct the Environmental Assessment

Impact (EIA) Report of the Crossrail Project. Accordingly, the EIA Report contains thefollowing four segments.

1. Synopsis of the Crossrail projects background and nature.2. A listing of the possible environmental issues, which may arise, (directly or indirectly),

mainly at the construction stage of the project.

3. To examine any possible alternatives to the project (if thought necessary andfeasible),.and also to check out Crossrail Limiteds proposals to mitigate and neutralizethese adverse environmental issues, identified above.

4. Conclusion of the researcher at the end, flowing logically from the above.(The legislation on environmental impact assessment in UK is as per the EU Directive 85/337/EEC and further amended

by Directive 97/11/EC.)


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The background and nature of the Crossrail Project:

1.01 About the Crossrail ProjectThe Crossrail Project is the realization of the dreams of Londoners for more than 15

years. From the last decade onwards, London had felt the need for a Mass Transport System,which has become even more necessary now by the hosting of the Summer Olympics in

London in 2012. The existing modes of public transportation e.g. the London tube rail and

its trams, buses no doubt ply efficiently but are woefully inadequate to cater to the needs ofall. The Crossrail project was thought of under such circumstances, the Crossrail Project

which has a budget of 6.9 billion , was initially thought of in 2001. Since then, the project

has been detailed, discussed, put-up, envisioned, debated, rejected, revised and wasultimately passed in the House of Commons as well as in the House of Lords by a hybrid

bill and the Crossrail Project Laws and Statute came into being in 2008-09. As on date, notonly have the works started but one station has also been completed. The researcher has nodoubt that the project will be an engineering marvel for the entire world to witness, once

completed.

The company Crossrail Ltd that has been set up exclusively for this purpose is promoting the

Project. Crossrail, was initially formed of as a 50:50 Joint venture between the Department

for Transport(DfT) and Transport for London(FL).From 2008 onwards, foreseeing

bureaucratic delays and conformity problems between two government entities, it hasbecome a 100% subsidiary of the TfL(Transport for London) since 2008.

1.02Socio-Economic Improvements in addition to Mass Transportation Utility

Although this is an EIA, the question arises that why such a huge project like Crossrailat such expenses? Would it not have been cheaper if alternative ways to ease the congestion

but at lower costs were planned? Is not Crossrail a rather ambitious project? The answer is

that there are no alternatives to Crossrail, in terms of cheaper transportation systems and

long-term transportation advantages. In addition, the decisive factor is that Crossrail alsooffers various socio-economic improvements to the Government of the people, which justify

the project. In this regard, please refer to the tables below, which are self-explanatory.

Costs: The table below gives the budgeted cost considering all economic conditions as may

occur, nationally or globally, at present. Here, an optimism bias cost has also beenconsidered which means the condition of favorable chance.Here, PV denotes Present Value


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.

User Benefits is shown in the following table, which is also self-explanatory. The benefits have

been quantified on basis of the net value of dis-benefits during the construction period.

Estimated revenue which will be earned by Crossrail are shown in the next table (Table3) and the

overall

cost benefit ratio is shown in Table 4. The portions of Crossrail revenue, which will come from

other transport revenue-earning sources, have been deducted from the gross revenue, in table 3.


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We therefore see that the cost benefit ratio is 1.8 and if the higher optimism bias figures as

shown in Table 1 are used, the ratio will dropdown to 1:63 . These are sound and practical ratios,

thereby advocating the superiority of Crossrail over alternative projects.

Project Technicalities Involved.

Complex technology and modern engineering concepts are involved in the project,

especially in the tunneling part. Trenchless tunneling is a technology which is today used all overthe world but the Crossrail project will require the latest advances made in the same as the

tunneling which is proposed to start from a no of different points. The tunneling will be done by

using slow rotating tunnel boring machines or TBMs. These machines look like a hugestructural circle diameter from the front and are fitted with excavating tools.

As the TBMs start cutting, the landfill and other waste generated are pushed back throughthe machine for disposal and are carried back by screw conveyors. As the TBM head goes deeper

it carries a 6 mts diameter pipe with it which will be the tunnel structure. The rotation of each

TBM is slow about 1-3 RPM as high speeds will not only consume excess energy but candestabilize the surface which is very urbanized. When one pipe ends, another will be fitted onto

then end of the previous pipe and the tunneling will proceed in this way. High strength concrete

pipes will be used for the tunnels. These machines will be boring under urban London for 24hrseach day.A series of trailers housing all the necessary electrical and mechanical support

equipment are towed behind the front

shield, for installation in-situ. TheTBMs will be driven by a row of

hydraulic rams. Once laid, the insidesof the tunnels will be spray concrete

lined at slow rates, to obtain a highfinish quality. Before lining, the

mechanical and electrical accessorieswill be fitted in the tunnel.

The waste, which will be excavated,

and brought back into the pit by screwconveyors will disposed there off for

recycling and reuse, to the extent

possible, for use in other industries.

The DfT has also farsightedly

proposed the setting up of a Institute named, Tunneling and Underground Construction Academy(TUSA) which will supply the skilled manpower for operation of the Crossrail project. Besides

the Crossrail operation, TUSA will have the necessary technology for training of foreign workers

too and will be a source of foreign exchange earnings for the UK. The construction work ofTUSA is going on at present.


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Environmental issues foreseen:

Here, we shall examine and list out the possible environmental imbalance and otherenvironmental issues, which are bound to arise in the erection part of such a mammoth

engineering project. The issues foreseen in this regard which may affect the environmental

conditions of the areas of London City which the Crossrail project will affect, .are as givenbelow against the respective subheads

2.1 Air Pollution: In case of a project like Crossrail, construction machines, trucks & lorries,

welding fumes, hazardous gas from the excavated tunnels makes Air Pollution an important

issue. Other unwanted pollution such as accidental breakage of gas pipelines, sewerage pipelinesetc. are also important.

2.2 Dust, Asbestos and Odour: These are important aspects which may have adverse effects onthe environment.

2.3 Noise & Vibration : Possibility of nose abobe accepted levels from the TBMs and vibrationfrom the same machines passed on to the surface both verbally and laterally.

2.4.Preservation of Nature & Ecology: Adverse effects of the construction works is possible.

The sensitive areas are wetlands, where different varieties of flora and fauna habitate. The

construction work if done close on the surface to such areas may unbalance the areas ecology.

2.5. Water Resources: Surface water pollution along with ground water and bore hole water is a

possibility during the construction. Lubricants meant for use on machines or oily liquids,accidentally spoiled, may be dewaterd/thrown on the land surface resulting in water pollution.

2.6. Trees and forestry: It is always possible that trees may be deliberately or accidentally cutand shrubs, small plants etc may be uprooted.

2.7. ElectroMagnetic Radiation : Although not much chance remains, Electro Magneticradiation from wireless communication devices are always a problem in certain cases.

2.8. Waste and Excavated Material: The waste of demolition is not to be kept in the open or

subjected to reuse before any testing is done for the presence of toxic agents and recycling is

carried out.

2.9. Archaeological Buildings and Heritage preservation : All possible danger to any

archaeological and heritage buildings to be kept away from the construction. In case this is notpossible, then the promoter should carry out the works with minimum or nil damage and

disturbances as possible.


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These are the main areas of environment impact, which is not so much as the project will be

carried out in a highly urbanized area. Crossrail Ltd are to supply an ES manual wherein all steps

taken to discourage the occurrence of the above environmentally hazardous action and othergeneral steps for environmental protection are to be clearly spelled out.

3. Mitigation of the above Environmental Issues and a brief synopsis of the environmental

friendly action to be taken by Crossrail

In this report, it has already been shown that the project cannot be replaced by a better project,

both environmentally and in all other respects. Therefore, the question of replacement by

alternative project ideas, will not be considered here.

As per statute, all action taken by Crossrail Ltd towards the implementation of the project shall

be under a public undertaker, who shall appointed by and shall be responsible to theSecretary of State for any environmental, health and safety mishaps. The code for BS EN

ISO14001 - Environmental Management Systems shall be deemed as a part of the project

specifications. Even if not mentioned here, the undertaker will be responsible for all or anyenvironmental contamination done either accidentally or with deliberate intention.

Besides Crossrail Limited has declared that it will take mitigation procedures against allenvironmental, health and safety issues. For example, to reduce air pollution, diesel engine

drives shall be used the least. Electrical Power and UPS battery banks shall be used wherever

possible and advantageous.

Crossrail will prepare a number of Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) which will explainthe mitigation plans in detail. These plans will describe how the project will ensure theenvironmental requirements are met and how environmental issues that arise will be handled.

This is a statutory necessity to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulations and in

accordance with the nominated undertakers environmental policies. The EMPs will be discussedwith relevant qualifying local planning authorities (or highway and traffic authorities for Traffic

Management Plans) and in preparing the EMPs, the nominated undertaker will take into account

their observations ,i.e. of the local authorities.

Crossrail as and where required, will adopt the following codes of practices

1.HSG151: Protecting the Public - published by the Health & Safety Executive.:2.HSG65Successful health and safety management, published by the Health & Safety

Executive. Code of practice for the design of road lighting

3.Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Light Pollution, 2000, published by the Institute of

Lighting Engineers.4.BS 7171, Code of Practice for Safe Use of Cranes


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4.LFEPA Fire Safety Guidance Note Number 29 Access for Fire Appliances

5.HSG 168: Fire Safety in Construction Work published by the Health & Safety Executive.

6.Guidance on Development of a Site Clearance Capability in England and Wales,published by ODPM in October 2005.BS6164 2001

7.Code of practice for tunnelling in the construction industry.

8.Control of Pollution Act 1974

9.BS5228: Noise control on construction and open sites.

10.Part 1 (1997) Code of Practice for basic information and procedures for noise control.

11.Part 2 (1997) Guide to legislation for noise control applicable to construction anddemolition, including road construction and maintenance.

12.Part 4 (1992) Code of Practice for noise and vibration control applicable to piling

13.BS6472: 1992 Evaluation of human exposure of vibration in buildings(1Hz to 80 Hz)

In addition to the above, the following codes and standards shall also be applicable in statute

BS7385 Evaluation and measurement for vibration in buildings: Part 1: 1990 Guide for measurements of vibrations and evaluation of their effects on

buildings.

Part 2: 1993 Guide to damage levels from ground borne vibration. disposal of asbestos-containing materials to licensed waste sites in accordance with Special Wastes Regulations 1996 (SI 1976/972). Water Resources Act 1991. Land Drainage Act 1991. Water Act 2003. BS 6031: Code of Practice for Earthworks. EA Pollution Prevention Guidance Notes. Environmental Protection Act 1990 Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 The Site Waste Management Plans -Regulations 2008 Contractors and Clients -Voluntary Code of Practice (Department of Trade & Industry

July 2004)

Waste Management The Duty of Care, Code of Practice (HMSO March1996). IRIA Guidance. The London Plan, 2004, published by the Mayor of London. Hazardous

Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005.

CIRIA, Control of water pollution from construction sites: Guidance for consultants andcontractors (C532).

CIRIA/Environment Agency Joint Guidelines: Masonry Bunds for Oil

EA Guidance Note: Piling into Contaminated Sites. SI1998/2746: The Groundwater Regulations (EC Groundwater Directive:80/68/EEC). (a) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended (b) Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994, as amended (c) Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 (d) Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (e) Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 (f) Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.


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4.0 Conclusion

From the above EIA and the mitigation measures assured by CRL, this researcher feels

that there is no chance of any environmental impact, short-term or long-term pertaining.to the project. Crossrail has accepted compliance with all the environmental and other

laws which will be a part of the Crossrail bill. Therefore, as highly professional

organization, the researcher asks the Crossrail Company to proceed to the next step thatis, to prepare individual ES reports detailing the handling of all issues including

environmental issues. As per procedure, the mitigation measures proposed by Crossrail

are found as satisfactory by the researcher.

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Enclosed:

Appendix-I: Crossrail Route

Appendix-II: The Health, Safety and Environmental Policies of Crossrail Ltd and its

parent TfL


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Appendix-I

Crossrail Route


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Appendix II: The Health, Safety and Environmental Policies of Crossrail Ltd and TfL

The Crossrail Project

Documents

Transcript of The Crossrail Project