Transport for London’s (TfL) programme to improve sub-surface London Underground lines ‘is nothing short of a disaster for London’, a senior London Assembly member has said.
A report by the Assembly’s Budget and Performance Committee says the Sub-Surface Upgrade Programme (SSUP) is running five years late and is forecast to cost £886m more than originally planned.
The committee says the delay and the majority of the cost increase to the SSUP comes from the Automatic Train Control (ATC) element of programme, and is a result of TfL’s failed contract with Bombardier Transport.
John Briggs AM pulling no punches on upgrade failure
In December 2013 TfL decided to cancel its contract with Bombardier and pay a settlement of £85m. The committee estimates that £67m of the settlement is wasted expenditure.
After the debacle, TfL appointed Thales to take over the programme last summer and, the committee says, ‘the full implications of the failed Bombardier contract came to light’.
Committee chairman, John Biggs, said: ‘This is nothing short of a disaster for London. Neither TfL nor Bombardier's management teams were up to the task of managing the programme, but it is Londoners that will ultimately pay the price in travel delays and inefficiencies.’
The committee says the SSUP is central to London Underground’s plans to increase capacity and help cope with future in London’s population.
But the programme is now not expected to be completed until 2023 – five years late – and TfL has increased the budget for the ATC element by £886m.
The committee says ‘delays and cost increases will have significant consequences for both passengers and TfL’s capital programme’ with 11 million fewer journeys a year at a cost of £271m in lost fares income.
A TfL spokesperson said: ‘Work is now well underway to upgrade the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, which will mean massive improvements to the frequency and reliability of services for our customers.
‘The modernisation of these lines, which make up 40% of the Tube network, is vital to our city's future. It was essential that decisive action was taken to end the old Bombardier contract as soon as it became clear that it would not deliver for London.
'As the Assembly acknowledges, we have implemented the central recommendations from KPMG's independent review of the Bombardier contract which we published in July 2014.’
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
