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Costs mount for refurbishment of London Underground network Tube modernisation costs rise as London Underground confirms upgrades
(35 minutes later)
London Underground has confirmed plans to upgrade four lines, including the oldest parts of the tube network – but at far more expense and much later than under the original, aborted contract.London Underground has confirmed plans to upgrade four lines, including the oldest parts of the tube network – but at far more expense and much later than under the original, aborted contract.
The notoriously erratic Circle, Metropolitan, District and Hammersmith & City lines will get a new train control system by 2022, after Bombardier failed to deliver its promised signalling upgrade. The notoriously erratic Circle, Metropolitan, District and the Hammersmith & City lines will get a new train control system by 2022, after Bombardier failed to deliver its promised signalling upgrade.
The faster, more frequent services will allow tens of thousands more passengers per hour to travel on the Tube. The lines comprise about 40% of the network. Tube bosses said a signals upgrade for the century-old system would allow Circle line trains to run every 4 minutes.The faster, more frequent services will allow tens of thousands more passengers per hour to travel on the Tube. The lines comprise about 40% of the network. Tube bosses said a signals upgrade for the century-old system would allow Circle line trains to run every 4 minutes.
The system will be installed by Thales, the company that modernised the Victoria line, although details of the deal have not been finalised or released. Transport for London terminated Bombardier’s contract in 2013, writing off £85m already paid to the Canadian group.The system will be installed by Thales, the company that modernised the Victoria line, although details of the deal have not been finalised or released. Transport for London terminated Bombardier’s contract in 2013, writing off £85m already paid to the Canadian group.
Overall, LU will have spent £5.54bn on modernising the Tube network, including 191 air-conditioned walk-through trains and replacement track. The sum is 30% higher than originally budgeted, but LU said it was a “more realistic price” and would include additional infrastructure works identified as necessary after Bombardier’s failure. Tube bosses admitted that Bombardier’s programme was “simply not progressing” and there was no guarantee it would have worked. Overall, London Underground will have spent £5.54bn on modernising the four lines , including 191 air-conditioned walk-through trains and replacement track by 2022. The sum is 30% higher than originally budgeted, but London Underground said it was a “more realistic price” and would include additional infrastructure works identified as necessary after Bombardier’s failure. Tube bosses admitted that Bombardier’s programme was “simply not progressing” and there was no guarantee it would have worked.
Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground, said the work would transform journeys for millions of passengers, but warned: “The scale and complexity of the work and the need to keep London moving as we do means that it will take several years.” Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground, said the work would transform journeys for millions of passengers, but warned: “The scale and complexity of the work and the need to keep London moving as we do it means that it will take several years.”
Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, said: “The overhaul of the next set of four lines and installing new signalling is a hugely important task and one that we must get right ... to ensure London’s position as the greatest global city.”Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, said: “The overhaul of the next set of four lines and installing new signalling is a hugely important task and one that we must get right ... to ensure London’s position as the greatest global city.”
Union Aslef accused TfL of “dressing up bad news as good”, while Labour said Johnson had wasted £85m more of taxpayer money. But the trade union Aslef accused TfL of “dressing up bad news as good”, while Labour said the mayor had wasted £85m more of taxpayer money.
Val Shawcross, the London Assembly’s transport spokesperson, said: “The idea that the Mayor thinks today’s announcement is something to boast about is stunning. Now we learn that as a result of the Bombardier fiasco, commuters will have to wait an extra four years to see the improvements they were promised.”Val Shawcross, the London Assembly’s transport spokesperson, said: “The idea that the Mayor thinks today’s announcement is something to boast about is stunning. Now we learn that as a result of the Bombardier fiasco, commuters will have to wait an extra four years to see the improvements they were promised.”