UK: Atkins and Jacobs have been appointed as lead consultants to study options for improving transport in the corridor between Abbey Wood in southeast London and Ebbsfleet in north Kent.
The 15-month study aims to identify options and understand how these could support housing and jobs growth within the study area and beyond. KPMG will consider funding and finance options.
Atkins told Rail Business UK that the study would look widely at connectivity rather than ‘big infrastructure’, and would consider ‘smaller interventions’ such as bus rapid transit as well as improving journeys to central London and a potential extension of Crossrail beyond Abbey Wood.
The Ministry for Housing Communities & Local Government is providing up to £4·85m to fund the study, which is being overseen by the Crossrail to Ebbsfleet Partnership of Kent County Council, the boroughs of Bexley, Dartford and Gravesham, Ebbsfleet Development Corp, Thames Gateway Kent Partnership, the Greater London Authority and Network Rail.
