The Paddington Bakerloo Line Link is a sub-surface pedestrian link connecting the new Crossrail Station on Paddington's western side with the Bakerloo Line platforms on its eastern side. With passenger volume expected to increase sharply once Crossrail begins serving the station in 2018, the Link is a timely and necessary means of easing congestion and keeping passenger flow, well, flowing. OTB are supporting contractor Costain Skanska JV as the 40 million schemes designer.

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Crossrail's original plan for the Link had been found wanting, and it was OTB's job to design a more efficient alternative. Working under various constraints, we produced a design that reduced the length of the foot tunnel and cut passenger journey and platform clearance times. We also reduced the scope of the temporary works by using only one temporary access shaft, and ensured that the works would be delivered within existing infrastructure, thus keeping disruption to a minimum. Our design helped to streamline a considerably complex project and deliver value where it was most needed. It won us the 2016 Institution of Civil Engineers UK Tunnelling Team of the Year award.