Hainault Station

The client required the construction of new train crew accommodation to allow easy access to the platforms. Train crews, presently housed in various buildings in and around Hainault station, needed to be accommodated in one building linked by a new footbridge directly to the platforms. The new building would shorten the time it would take for the crew to board their train.

The challenge for the design team was to construct the building with a limited budget that precluded construction in the existing car park, which was initially the client's preferred location. Moving the building onto the existing embankment placed the accommodation closer to the railway and reduced loss of car parking revenue and importantly, brought the cost within budget.

Jenkins & Potter carried out a careful assessment of the embankment stability to ensure that the appropriate foundation solution was chosen. Consideration was also given to the methods of safe working close to the operational railway. The number of supporting columns was kept to a minimum by using large span pre-cast concrete floors supported on a steel frame.