Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL)

Optilan has been heavily involved in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link project over the last few years, providing bespoke Telecommunications, Station Comms and Security Systems for the project.  

We view our involvement in the CTRL project including the Temple Mills Depot, Stratford International & Ebbsfleet Stations and the new re-vitalised St.Pancras Station as the most prestigious series of rail projects we have undertaken.

“It is not often you get the chance to take part in such a strategically important infrastructure project and our contribution across the different sites providing operations critical integrated communications systems was a challenge we are proud to have fulfilled successfully for CTRL. Our involvement in the integration of the St Pancras project and maintenance of the communication systems in that station is evidence of our continuing commitment to supporting CTRL as best we can” says Optilan Director Bal Kler.

For CTRL 1 Optilan was responsible for the majority of design work, integration, installation and commissioning of the Data Transmission and Local Area Networks and CCTV system comprising of 29 fixed and pan-tilt cameras 15 of which were trackside. The fully configured LAN/WAN & NMS provides monitoring of signalling & process data provided by track side geographically remote Ethernet base SCADA servers.  The SDH STM1 Metropolitan Area Network data transmission path was also supplied, configured, commissioned and now maintained by Optilan.  The LAN, designed and built by Optilan, links the CCTV matrix to 3 control-room based operator workstations and a maintenance operations desk.

Following on from the successful completion of the contract for CTRL Section 1, Optilan were awarded the 3 year contract for CTRL Section 2 covering the design, supply and build of all communication systems for the 39 Kilometre Fawkham Junction/St Pancras stretch of the Rail Link. Here over 60 CCTV cameras linked to a Control Centre and more than 600 telephones were provided, equipping signalling rooms and absolute stop markers as well as contact points at 500 metre intervals along the track. SDH technology is used for the transmission network, which carries all signalling and control systems data as well as voice and CCTV signals. CTRL was completed successfully in 2007 but Optilan continues it’s support with an ongoing maintenance contract.

‘Optilan have the experience and knowledge of not only being able to integrate individual subsystems but also designing solutions that maximize interaction between intelligent devices’.   CTRL Press Release 2003.

In 2006 Optilan was awarded a £2.3 million contract for the design, supply and build of communications and security systems for the Temple Mills Depot which is big enough to fully enclose a fleet of full length Eurostar Trains. Here Optilan provided a perimeter fence intruder detection system plus external and internal site surveillance incorporating 52 cameras and a state of the art IP reactive CCTV. Integrated Access Control providing audible and visual alerts to operator locations; A comprehensive alarm management database providing fast retrieval of recorded video associated with alarm incidents; A Depot Centralised Clock System and Transmission Equipment for a depot-wide LAN with Fibre optic network and an office, amenity and trackside telephony system were all completed on time.

Optilan has also been contracted to design, procure, build, install and commission the communication systems for Ebbsfleet & Stratford International stations which with the award of the Olympics to London in 2012 have taken on added strategic importance.  The systems to be provided are LAN, Telephony and CIS. 

The latest development for Optilan ensures the company’s long term involvement with HS1 through the award of a long term maintenance contract for the retail station telecoms and security systems at St Pancras Station which includes all systems provided for Eurostar/CTRL and Network Rail Midland Main Line.  St Pancras is planned to develop and expand significantly with up to 60 retail sites in addition to the normal station infrastructure.  Optilan’s responsibilities will embrace all security and information systems on the site.

Beyond CTRL Optilan has been contracted to Network Rail contractors for the reconfiguration of the Concentrator equipment and the installation and commissioning of trackside telephones.  Optilan have been a principal JTT field engineering sub-contractor on the Network Rail FTN project.  Optilan’s work in this area has contributed to Optilan being awarded a Network Rail’s Contractors Assurance Case.