Hanson provide concrete solution for Gatwick station

Company supplying low-carbon concrete for airport station refurbishment and upgrade project

HANSON are supplying low-carbon concrete to help transform Gatwick Airport station as part of Network Rail’s plans to upgrade and improve the experience of rail users.

To date the company has supplied approximately 3,000 cubic metres of low-carbon concrete to main contractors Costain to refurbish the existing station concourse and build a second, bigger one which will create a new entrance into the airport.

The concrete, which contains 70% Regen GGBS (ground granulated blast-furnace slag), provides the correct durability requirements while saving more than 500 tonnes of CO2 emissions over a standard concrete – the equivalent of 500 people making a return flight between Paris and New York.

Regen GGBS, which is used as a replacement for some of the Portland cement (CEM I) content in concrete, is a by-product of the iron making industry and its manufacture requires less than one-third of the energy and produces less than 10% of the CO2 emissions of CEM I. Moreover, it does not require the quarrying of new materials and its use prevents material being disposed of as landfill.

Calvin Blacker, Costain’s design manager for the Gatwick station project, said: ‘Hanson were chosen as our materials supply partner due to their proven track record for innovation in lowering the carbon footprint of concrete within their supply chain.

‘We have worked closely together to deliver concrete that meets the challenging requirements of the project while adding to its low-carbon credentials.’

Network Rail’s plans will create more space for passengers, making the journey from train to plane easier, improving accessibility, and supporting a more reliable train service. They will double the amount of space for passengers and support movement around the station and in and out of the airport.

The project is being managed by Network Rail in partnership with the Department for Transport and Govia Thameslink Railway. Gatwick Airport Ltd and Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership are co-funding the project with £37 million and £10 million respectively. The project is being delivered by Costain.