Client
CGL Rail Limited
Value
£3.0M
Sectors & Services
Rail Concrete Repair Condition Surveys Coatings Membranes Grouting & Injection Cleaning & Preparation Projects
City Greenwich Lewisham Rail Link plc holds the concession for the Lewisham Extension of the Docklands Light Railway, a critical section of London’s public transport network serving stations from Mudchute to Lewisham. The route includes complex assets such as sub-surface stations and a tunnel beneath the River Thames, presenting demanding operational and maintenance requirements.
CRL was first appointed in 2011 to undertake minor platform repairs, marking the beginning of a long-term relationship. Over the past decade, this partnership has evolved into a comprehensive programme of maintenance and repair works supporting the safety, reliability and long-term performance of this strategically important infrastructure.
Services undertaken
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Concrete repairs to platform supports
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Resin injection to tunnel rings
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Application of sealants to cess beams, brickwalls and retaining structures
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Overbanding to structural joints
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Application of protective coatings to station structures
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Installation of waterproof membranes
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Brick repairs and repointing
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Drone surveys
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Detailed infrastructure surveys along the route
The Lewisham Extension comprises a diverse range of rail assets including tunnels, stations, bridges, retaining structures and associated civil engineering elements. CRL’s broad capability across concrete repairs, surveys and specialist interventions enabled a flexible and responsive approach tailored to each asset type. Over the course of the partnership, CRL has undertaken targeted concrete repairs to platform supports, addressing deterioration while maintaining safe access for passengers and operational staff.
Within the tunnel sections between Mudchute and Greenwich, resin injection was carried out to tunnel rings to manage water ingress and maintain structural integrity. Sealant application formed a key element of ongoing maintenance, with works delivered to cess beams, brickwork and retaining structures to enhance durability and prevent further degradation. At critical interfaces, overbanding was installed to joints at Brookmill Park Bridge, the Lewisham box section and the Greenwich cut and cover tunnel, ensuring continued performance under movement and environmental exposure.
Extensive protective coating works were delivered across all Lewisham Extension stations, including staircases, canopies, operations rooms, platforms and footbridges. These coatings improved resilience against corrosion and wear while supporting long-term asset management objectives. Waterproof membranes were applied at Lewisham and Island Gardens stations, providing enhanced protection in high-risk areas. Brick repairs and repointing were completed across multiple stations, maintaining both structural condition and appearance. CRL also undertook drone surveys and detailed infrastructure surveys along the route, supporting informed planning and prioritisation of future works.
"A long-term relationship can only be built on trust, technical competence and a good safety culture. CRL has clearly shown that despite a non-framework arrangement, they are capable of sustaining performance year after year."
Ben Lawson | Regional Manager (London & the South East) | CRL
CRL’s decade-long involvement with the Lewisham Extension has delivered sustained value beyond individual repair interventions. By combining planned surveys with responsive maintenance, the programme has supported improved durability, reduced reactive maintenance and extended asset service life across the network.
The consistent application of protective coatings, sealants and waterproofing measures has enhanced resilience in demanding underground and exposed environments. Close collaboration with CGL Rail ensured that works were aligned with operational requirements, maintaining service continuity on a live railway.
This long-term partnership demonstrates CRL’s expertise in concrete repairs and structural repairs UK, providing reliable, safety-focused delivery that supports effective asset management across complex rail infrastructure.
