Crossrail meets green targets

Crossrail has achieved or beaten many of its environmental targets, as it moves into the final stages of construction.

Among the environmental targets beaten were recycling 97% of excavated material (against a target figure of 95%), and recycling 97% of construction and demolition material (against a target of 90%). Stones recovered from disused and dismantled platforms were donated to the Great Western Society at Didcot for reconstruction there.

The project’s carbon dioxide footprint was reduced by 15%, reflecting the slowdown in construction activities, while efforts to reduce emissions when the railway is running have included the installation of solar panels at Old Oak Common, along with rainwater harvesting systems to reduce water consumption.

“From increasing the proportion of machinery fitted with emission controls to reducing our energy consumption, Crossrail remains on track to meet its sustainability targets,” said Crossrail Chief Executive Andrew Wolstenholme.