Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised Transport for London (TfL) on the delivery of Crossrail, the railway infrastructure which will support the newly launched Elizabeth line.
More than a decade in the making, the Elizabeth line will improve cross-London connectivity, with lower journey times, more capacity and new journey opportunities. The Elizabeth line sees TfL directly operate regulated rail infrastructure for the first time with the new railway tunnels under central London.
The Stephenson Harwood rail team has advised TfL since 2014, including guiding it through the highly complex regulated rail regime, setting up the new company – Rail for London (Infrastructure) – which will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the railway, as well as preparing and implementing the regulated access contracts. Over the lifetime of the project, the team's work expanded to include a broad range of Crossrail activities, such as the arrangements for the operation of 'TfL Rail' or Elizabeth line services, gaining access for those services to Heathrow Airport, power supply arrangements and the interface between the Crossrail depot at Old Oak Common and High Speed 2.
The cross-practice team was led by rail partners Tammy Samuel, Suzanne Tarplee and Darren Fodey. Colleagues from across the firm's tax, projects and real estate, disputes and corporate practices were involved at various stages of the project.
The award-winning Stephenson Harwood rail team acts for public bodies, private sector operators and owning groups, financiers, lessors, industry bodies, infrastructure owners, and manufacturers.