Leading regional contractor Shaylor Group has reported a healthy
increase in rail projects that reflects the anticipated growth in
this sector.
Latest figures from the Construction Products Association (CPA)
predict that rail construction is anticipated to double by 2015
with output set to reach £4.5 billion by the end of 2011.
The rail projects have been secured by JDI, the interiors
division of the Shaylor Group and involve the upgrade and
improvement of stations and facilities for Network Rail and First
Great Western.
Ray Williams managing director for JDI, said that rail
investment is taking a growing share of investment from the
Department of Transport at the expense of other areas in order to
meet the expected rises in passenger numbers.
"Over the past 10 years, rail passenger numbers have risen by
about 40% and the industry is expecting demand to double over the
next few decades.
"Whilst major projects such as Crossrail have taken the
headlines there are many other projects that are going ahead in
order to increase network capacity and improve station
facilities."
JDI is involved in the £800m Reading Area Redevelopment
with Network Rail. JDI's project is the £1m upgrade of the
existing heritage building on Reading station and the provision of
temporary offices during the course of the development. Works on
the project are to be completed in 2014.
At Paddington Station JDI has recently completed upgrading the
on board catering facilities for Rail Gourmet and is carrying out a
number of other projects which includes improvements to MacMillan
House, occupied by First Great Western, and extending the Train
Crew Manager's offices.
As part of the National Station Improvement Scheme JDI are
involved with First Group on a number of stations on the
Great Western Line to upgrade the existing customer facilities
which include waiting areas, new customer information rooms and
purpose built waiting shelters at Ealing Broadway, Southall,
Chippenham and Langley.