Cross London Rail Links Ltd (CLRL), the company leading the Crossrail project to build a new rail line across London from Maidenhead to Shenfield and Abbey Wood, has announced the selection of Bechtel Ltd as its Development Manager after a 4-month selection process.

Bechtel will work as part of CLRL’s existing project team over a period of 21 months to lead and manage a team of design and cost consultants in the further development of this significant transport scheme.

Together, they will produce a reference design for the project which will form the basis for construction following Royal Assent being given to the Crossrail Bill.

This work will take place alongside the hearings of the Crossrail Bill Select Committee which could commence in the New Year.

Keith Berryman, CLRL’s acting Chief Executive said: ‘Bechtel has been appointed after a rigorous selection and procurement process, which included notification in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

'They are an internationally renowned company with direct experience in schemes of this stature and a reputation for delivery, and I look forward to working with them to deliver Crossrail to London and the UK as a whole.’

Bechtel’s appointment is another step in the co-ordinated plan to bring the long awaited Crossrail scheme to fruition and is part of the usual process with a large infrastructure project.

Further appointments of advisors will be made in the New Year in respect of other consultants and services.

Commenting on the announcement, Mike Adams, President Bechtel Civil, said: ‘We are delighted at the opportunity to work with CLRL on this exciting and important project for both London and the UK.

'We look forward to using our experience in delivering major rail infrastructure projects in the UK to support CLRL and ensure the final Crossrail scheme is one of which London can be proud.’

Bechtel is a global engineering, construction and project management company. Established in 1898, the company today employs 40,000 employees in 40 offices around the world. Bechtel has been present in the UK for over fifty years, employing around 2000 people in this country.

For more information about Bechtel, visit www.bechtel.com . For more information on Crossrail, please visit www.crossrail.co.uk

Ends

Issued 22 December 2005

For further information please contact the 24 hour seven day a week helpline on 0845 602 3813 or e-mail helpdesk@crossrail.co.uk

Notes:

• The value of the contract is commercially confidential and is not being disclosed.

• A total of six companies were shortlisted during the tender process.

• The Crossrail Bill passed its Second Reading in July 2005, and the Select Committee that will hear petitions against it is expected to commence its work early in 2006.

• Cross London Rail Links Ltd is a 50/50 joint venture company between Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport (DfT).