2 May 2013

Crossrail contractors Costain Skanska have turned their hand to catering and volunteered their time at a Paddington women’s homeless shelter.

The team of ten construction workers cooked and shared a three course meal with thirty women residing at the Marylebone Project.

The volunteer effort is the first in several planned events where the Paddington Crossrail team will work with local homeless shelters and social housing programmes to help deliver tangible benefits to the local community. The work is part of Crossrail’s Community Investment Programme which requires contractors delivering Crossrail works to support the communities in which they are working.

Costain Skanska Project Director, Martin Quaid, who was one of the volunteers, said: “We are really pleased to have the opportunity to work within the local community. Costain Skanska is keen to leave a lasting legacy on the community that we work in, not only in the form of a new station but also for our team to engage in the local community.”

Crossrail Project Manager for Paddington, Ben Hardy, said: “Crossrail will be working at Paddington for the next five years, and is committed to playing a responsible part in the life of the community. Our Community Investment Programme will leave a legacy far beyond the life of the construction works, and help set the standard for future projects.”

Rosie Cripps, the Co-ordinator for Time for Paddington, said: “Efforts such as these by Crossrail help our residents to come together and feel part of a community.”

The Marylebone Project is a partnership between Church Army and the Portman House Trust and works with vulnerable homeless women with the aim to empower them towards independent living.

Sainsbury’s kindly supplied most of the ingredients and to add some luxury for our dining guests the Paddington Hilton hotel supplied the tableware.

About Crossrail:

The total funding envelope available to deliver Crossrail is £14.8bn.

The Crossrail route will pass through 37 stations and run 118 km (73 miles) from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21 km (13 miles) tunnels below central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

When Crossrail opens it will increase London's rail-based transport network capacity by 10%, supporting regeneration and cutting journey times across the city. Crossrail services are due to commence through central London in 2018.

Crossrail is being delivered by Crossrail Limited (CRL). CRL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London. Crossrail is jointly sponsored by the Department for Transport and Transport for London.

 

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