LCR – HS2 Partnership

The Objective:

The Crewe Hub Development is a project coalescing transport infrastructure, urban design, economics and landscape architecture to provide connectivity for passenger and freight services to all areas of the country. The proposed Crewe Hub has the potential to rejuvenate local economy and regenerate the urban area.

Due to its complexity and the multitude of stakeholders involved in the programme, from government bodies, through National Rail to private entities, the Crewe Hub development posed a number of planning and organisational obstacles.

The Challenge:

Development of Crewe Hub, although crucial, is also challenging for a number of reasons. The current rail infrastructure was last remodelled in the 1980’s and is already at capacity serving multiple train lines and operators. Introducing HS2 services and additional regional rail services would require careful remodelling and expansion, impacting current network and connected infrastructure.

The partnership’s key functions were to:

Provide advice on station design integration, interchange facilities, connections into the urban realm and Land Strategy.

Identify and facilitate development opportunities at stations and surrounding areas to improve economic performance and residents’ quality of life.

Work with Government bodies to secure investment to fund regeneration delivered as part of HS2’s wider benefits.

The Solution:

Steel Associates, working together with Network Rail and Cheshire East Council and liaising with government departments, HS2, HCA and Local Enterprise Partnerships, were able to manage an integrated transport and land use development programme at Crewe.

In our function as support to the LCR – HS2 Partnership, we provided guidance and advice on implementing best programme management practice, such as:

  • Programme Planning & control functions
  • Improved governance structure
  • Better alignment of projects and workstreams within the programme
  • Programme Assurance to Government
  • Risk management

 

Steel Associates also got involved in the following aspects of the programme management for Crewe Hub Development:

ARUP Masterplan – Project Management working to support CEC

Motts Funding & Financing Study – Project Management

Setting out the vision and growth potential for the Crewe Area including identifying and costing infrastructure (in addition to core HS2 infrastructure) required to realise growth, and establish how those investments can be funded and delivered, including from local, regional and national sources.

Motts Regional Rail Improvement package – Project Management

A series of investments designed to enable increased service frequency on the classic network rail lines travelling though Crewe Station to reduce interchange penalties for passengers, support the wider region and the Crewe Hub concept.

Crewe Hub Station Campus Integrated Programme – Programme Management

The purpose of the multi-disciplinary study is the development of an affordable enhanced station preposition to support the opportunities and investments at the station campus at a sufficient level of analysis to enable the support of all partners, including A Funding & Financing Model, integrated delivery strategy, power & consent strategy, land & land acquisition strategy, proposals for delivery vehicle and business case.

 

The Outcome:

Steel Associates successfully led the effort to develop and prepare a compelling case to be presented to the Senior National Rail Board. This was achieved by gaining approval from various lower level boards across three of the organisations involved and through extensive liaising with numerous stakeholders including HS2, NR, the LEP, Cheshire East Council, Transport for the North, HCA, DfT and DCLG.

Recently, the government has announced its continued support for a Crewe Hub Station and for HS2 to create the route to Crewe by 2027.

Project Details

Client LCR
Date December 2016
Skills Programme Office Manager
View /www.lcrhq.co.uk/

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