Environment

Welcome to the Crossrail Environment homepage, where you can learn about our approach to the environment, our environmental commitments and how we are managing the design and construction of the project to minimise our impact on the environment. 

Environment – did you know?

Crossrail will result in the largest archaeological programme ever undertaken in the UK, and represents a significant opportunity to increase knowledge regarding the past history of London.

1. Crossrail intends to use material excavated during construction works to create a large wildlife reserve at Wallasea Island, eight miles north of Southend-on-Sea in Essex.  Wallasea Island will be the largest and most important coastal habitat creation scheme in the UK.
2. Crossrail operates in accordance with the GLA’s Responsible Procurement Policy and is committed to buying goods and materials in a socially and environmentally responsible way.
3. On a tonne by kilometre basis, 85% of the transport for excavated material from Crossrail is by rail or water.
4. The Civil Engineering Environmental Quality and Assessment Award Scheme (CEEQUAL) has been adopted for all the civil engineering works and a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) has been developed for the central area subsurface stations.
5. Over 350 listed buildings lie along the route of the railway. Crossrail only needs to demolish one of these.
6. As the Crossrail trains approach the deep central area stations, they will be on a slight uphill gradient which will assist with braking. They will leave the station on a slight downhill gradient that will assist acceleration. This will help minimise long-term energy use.
7. Regenerative braking is the ability to use motors in reverse as an electric brake and return energy to the electrical supply system. Crossrail trains will be fitted with regenerative braking leading to a saving of at least 20% of total energy consumption.
8. Crossrail is looking to exploit its deep alignment beneath central London by utilising geothermal energy.
9. No sites of national or international importance for nature conservation will be affected by the construction or operation of Crossrail.

Environment

Policy and Objectives

Environmental Commitments

Environmental Management