Links for London

, in joint venture with

, has been awarded the £363m contract to create the new East London rail line between Dalston Junction and West Croydon, by

(TFL).

The project, which is the first of two phases, will extend the existing East London Line to Dalston Junction in the north of the city and New Cross Crystal Palace and West Croydon in the south.

It is scheduled for completion in late 2010. Construction work will begin in early 2007. Some additional work, not covered by the base contract for Phase1 could be commissioned from the joint venture over the next few months.

Commenting, Carillion Chief Executive John McDonough said, ‘This project, is the cornerstone of Transport for London and the Mayor’s £10bn investment programme to give London a 21st century transport system.’

Phase 2 of the project will further extend the line west to Clapham Junction and connect the north London line stations at Canonbury and Highbury & Islington.