THE REBUILDING of Ilford station has moved a step closer as bidders are this week asked to make offers to carry out the work.

Network Rail has issued the invitation to tender for the design work, which will pave the way for Crossrail.

The �15,9billion rail route travels from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east – strengthening Redbridge’s links to the heart of London.

The winning bidder will not only rebuild Ilford station, Cranbrook Road, Ilford, but will be responsible for most of the work on the route running between Stratford and Shenfield, Essex.

It will carry out station upgrades at both Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath and install platform extension for the longer, higher-capacity trains.

Step-free access will also be provided at the stations.

Robbie Burns, Network Rail programme director, said: “Network Rail is making a multi-billion pound investment to transform the existing railway to make Crossrail a success and this design work on Crossrail’s north-east section will prepare the way for new higher-frequency trains in future years.

“The result will give passengers more seats, better stations and a more frequent and reliable service.”

When fully open, Crossrail will provide 12 trains per hour on the Great Eastern Main Line at peak times in each direction between central London and Shenfield.

Network Rail is responsible for the design, development and delivery of the parts of Crossrail that are on the existing network, covering 70km of track and 28 stations from Maidenhead in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.

The train line will run through Ilford, Seven Kings, Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath.

Up to 14,000 people will be employed at the peak of construction in 2013-15.

The central section of Crossrail is due to open in 2018, followed by a phased introduction of the rest of the line.