Stannah at Reading Station

Fast-tracking access in a radical rail refurb How 14 Stannah passenger and goods lifts helped power a 21st century rail service. £895 million Network Rail redevelopment 15.3 million passenger footfall – and rising 8th busiest station in the UK 14 bespoke passenger and goods lifts Reading Station – in need of a rethink Reading Station is one of the busiest parts of the UK’s rail network but the complicated track layout constricted the number of trains needed to meet the demands of a modern rail service. Network Rail is addressing this need by ‘rebuilding the railway to provide for more trains, fewer delays and a better station’. Works comprise changing the track layout and building new platforms and entrances to promote the free-flow of trains and their passengers. Stannah – helping the rethink happen With a portfolio of substantial Network Rail lift refurbishments to its credit, Stannah was first in line for the people-movement revamp, delivering fourteen bespoke lift systems on time and budget. With five new platforms and a passenger footbridge to service, the new lifts will help provide the extra people and goods movement needed for step-free access throughout the station. Scope of work – responding to pressure Stannah responded to challenging deadlines to complete the fourteen bespoke lift installations in an emerging new station adjacent to a fully functioning existing hub. In particular, the Stannah team worked 24 – 7 over a three-month period when ten of the lifts were installed simultaneously. In September 2012 a huge bridge (constructed alongside the fully operational station) was installed overnight. The main station concourse is sited on this bridge and is the hub of the station, providing access to every area. Clients – a hat-trick of heavyweights Network Rail: The Authority responsible for the United Kingdom’s railway network. Costain/Hochtieff: Joint principal contractors – an international engineering and construction partnership. Redevelopment Timeline: 2010 – 2015 Winter 2010: 1st Phase of work completed over Christmas Spring 2011: Modernisation work starts Winter 2012: Platforms renumbered and the new southern platform opens; Cow Lane bridge (south) opened Spring 2013: The improved station opens with new platforms and entrances – and 14 Stannah bespoke passenger and goods lifts Autumn 2013: New train depot opens Spring 2015: Viaduct to cut delays Summer 2015: Project complete The 14 Stannah lifts – tailored to suit One of Stannah’s specialties is tailoring lifts to exacting criteria. All fourteen hydraulic lifts in Reading Station were built to Network Rail specifications; and, with an eye to eco-issues, Stannah used energy-saving gas counter-balance accumulators. On entering the station from the north side two 16-person (1200kg) passenger/goods lifts provide travel to the elevated bridge area. A third matching lift travelling three stops, with a capacity of 20 persons (1500kg), is for staff use only and is operated by a swipe card system. At bridge level these lifts appear as a triplex, adjacent to the escalators. The bridge features a series of five central lift shafts running right across the concourse, each plinth housing two lifts; one for passenger use and a second that can be used by staff with goods too. The five 2-stop 16 person (1200kg) passenger lifts travel 7 metres to the platforms below. The five 2-stop 20-person (1500kg) staff/goods lifts travel 7 metres to and from service areas. An additional four 4-stop 16-person lift for staff use only sits in the corner of the bridge back of house for office staff. Lifts specification – the nitty-gritty General features All the lifts benefit from: A tough finish for optimum performance in a demanding environment: Lift car: Side walls: 16 gauge, 316 grade linen-pattern stainless steel Entrance returns: 16 gauge, 316 grade Raltex 6WL pattern matt black stainless steel Panel interface: Black Darvic strip Skirting: 14 gauge 316 grade satin stainless steel Ceiling: 16 gauge white powder coated Station: 3mm 316 grade satin stainless steel. New Gardenia BS10815 Doors: 16 gauge 316 grade linen-pattern stainless steel Flooring: Altro Atlas 40. Anvil Handrails: Stainless steel New Gardenia BS10815 Landing Entrance: Doors: 16 gauge 316 grade linen-pattern stainless steel Surrounds: 16 gauge 316 grade Raltex 6WL pattern matt black stainless steel Landing sills: Bronze A range of operational features: Speed: 0.63m/s Hydraulics: tandem direct and indirect Buffer supports: Bucher or Stannah Ram: Bucher Up over travel: 350mm or 210mm Down over travel: 150mm or 120mm The motor rooms All the lifts are hydraulically driven with their motor rooms housed beneath the escalator voids on the entry level of the station on both the north and south sides of the complex. Lift specific details: Western Gateline Platform 7 to bridge level – 2 lifts: 1 public, 1 staff Capacity: 16 person / 20 person Load: 1200kg / 1500kg Travel: 7190mm Platforms 8 / 9 To bridge level – 2 lifts: 1 public, 1 staff Capacity: 16 person / 20 person Load: 1200kg and 1500kg Travel: 7122mm Platforms 10 / 11, 12 / 13, 14 / 15 To bridge level – 6 lifts: 3 public, 3 staff Capacity: 16 person / 20 person Load: 1200kg / 1500kg Travel: 6760mm Northern Entrance To bridge level – 4 lifts: 3 public, 1 staff 3 x 16 person, 1200kg 1 x 20 person, 1500kg Travel: 12910mm Compliance – for total reassurance All fourteen Stannah lifts meet all regulations, standards and directives, and help Network Rail meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. Maintenance – for total support All the Stannah lifting equipment at Reading is supplied with guarantees and is maintained by the Brackley branch of Stannah Lift Services, covering South Midlands and Home Counties as part of the nationwide service and maintenance contract with Network Rail. The Stannah promise Stannah is committed to delivering: The best quality products Superior service Good value for money Complete reliability All backed by a 150-year lift manufacturing pedigree “Working on the emerging new building, immediately adjacent to the existing and fully functioning station, was extremely demanding. The logistics and time constraints around the lift installations meant our efforts were 24/7 to meet the deadlines and open the new station to the public. The fully accessible station is on an impressive scale and our lifts are literally central to the day-to-day life of Reading Station.” Mark Jarratt, Stannah Project Manager