Transport for LondonDelivering London's future growth
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- Investment Oversight
- Transport 2025: transport challenges for a growing city
- Surface Transport investment
- Major projects
- London Underground investment
- Olympic and ParalympicGames update
- Technology and innovation
Investment overview
TfL's historic funding agreement with Governmentin 2004/05 makes it unique among public sectororganisations. It reflects the Government'sconfidence in TfL's ability to deliver complex,large-scale projects that can take years tocomplete. Significantly, it also gave TfL theauthority to borrow up to £3.3bn.
To date, TfL has issued two £200m bonds, the firstin December 2004 and the second in March 2006.The fact that both were strongly oversubscribedat competitive rates demonstrates that thefinancial community at home and abroad hasstrong confidence in TfL's ability to deliver.
TfL has also signed an innovative financingagreement with the European Investment Bank for£450m, to be drawn down over five years. This loanis linked to the funding of the core constructionwork on the East London Line Project and is asource of funds which is at a rate competitivewith that provided by the Government to TfL.
At the end of March 2006, TfL borrowed £334mfrom the Public Works Loan Board, an arm of theDebt Management Office and part of HM Treasury.This brought TfL's borrowing to date to justunder £750m.
Investment Oversight
To reduce any risk to the success of itsInvestment Programme, TfL has establishedInvestment Oversight - a dedicated teamresponsible for briefing the Commissioner, ChiefOfficers and senior management on progress withTfL's capital programme.
Investment Oversight uses independentengineering firms to review critical projects andprogrammes. It also fosters constructivecommunication between those responsiblefor delivering the many projects in TfL'sInvestment Programme.
Transport 2025:transport challengesfor a growing city
During 2005/06, TfL worked towards thepublication of 'Transport 2025: transportchallenges for a growing city' (T2025).This work looks at the future transport needs ofLondon in the face of the strong population andeconomic growth forecast to take place over thenext two decades.
T2025 identified the key challenges ahead. Theseinclude the need to cater for an additional 240,000public transport trips every day into central Londonby 2025 and the risk of traffic congestion increasingby up to 20-25 per cent, with knock-on effects onthe economy, quality of life, air pollution andclimate change.
The work also identifies the key transportobjectives guiding TfL's future investment intransport: to support sustainable economicdevelopment; to reduce social exclusion; andto tackle climate change and enhance theenvironment. A range of policy interventionsare being examined in response. These includecapacity increases on LU as the PPP line upgradesand major station congestion relief projectsare delivered along with increased rail capacity(including Crossrail).
There will also be renewed focus on the role ofland use planning in reducing the need to traveland an emphasis on measures aimed at influencingtravel behaviour.
During 2005/06, TfL also undertook 'Rail 2025', amajor study into how London's rail network couldbe expanded to meet rising demand on the publictransport system over the coming decades. 'Rail2025' describes cost-effective ways of increasingpeak capacity to meet future demand and, wherepossible, reduce overcrowding.
TfL also carried out and consulted over a parallelstudy into the impact that London's growth is likelyto have on the Capital's strategic road network.Both studies have now been incorporated intoan initial T2025 report, which was published forstakeholder consultation in June 2006 (seetfl.gov.uk/t2025).
Surface Transportinvestment
Surface Transport invested £290m in a range ofinitiatives that included a significantly expandedprogramme of renewal works on the TLRN;developing bus priority; Congestion Charging,including the Western Extension Zone; the iBusradio and information system (see page 65);improving the Blackwall Tunnel southbound;implementing a number of significant walking andcycling initiatives; and improvements to road safety.
Key bus stations also benefited from newinvestment. Improvements include betteraccessibility, security, passenger information andinterchange facilities at Finsbury Park, and workon a new, state-of-the-art bus station atEdmonton Green.
Investment in bus priority technologies - suchas selective vehicle detection (SVD), which allowsbuses to be preferentially progressed throughtraffic signals - is helping to improve the speedand reliability of London's buses.
Coulsdon Relief Road Project
At the end of March 2006, the Coulsdon ReliefRoad Project passed a key milestone when workbegan on jacking an 8,000-tonne concrete boxinto position beneath Smitham station. The box -which will carry the new A23 London to Brightoncarriageway beneath the station - is 37 metreslong, 10 metres high and 25 metres wide.
Train services through Smitham operated without disruption throughout its installation, which wascompleted by the end of April 2006.
Scheduled for completion in October 2006, thelong-awaited relief road will divert 80 per centof vehicles away from the middle of Coulsdon,enabling local people to reclaim their local areaafter years of campaigning for a reduction in trafficand the chance to regenerate their town centre.
Major projects
Cross River TramTfL is developing route options for the CrossRiver Tram (CRT). Preparations are now underwayto launch a public consultation on these routesfrom autumn 2006.
East London Transit/Greenwich
Waterfront Transit
East London Transit (ELT) and GreenwichWaterfront Transit (GWT) are busway transitschemes which will improve public transport andaccessibility in the London Thames Gateway area.High levels of bus priority, segregation and vehiclequality will improve journey time, reliability andpassenger experience.
The schemes, which are being delivered inphases, will connect local town centres, supportregeneration and serve key development sites.The initial phases of ELT and GWT are currentlybeing implemented with services due to start in2008 and 2010 respectively.
Thames Gateway Bridge
The proposed Thames Gateway Bridge (TGB)will link Beckton to Thamesmead in east London,providing a much-needed local link to helpsupport the creation of jobs and housing in thearea. A Public Inquiry into the Planning and Ordersapplications for the bridge began on 7 June 2005and closed on 3 May 2006. A decision on whetheror not the scheme will proceed is expected inspring 2007.
West London Tram
TfL has continued the development of the WestLondon Tram (WLT), with work focusing on thedetailed modelling required to support the designof this complex scheme. The design is beingfinalised ahead of a Transport and Works Actapplication, subject to the agreement of theTfL Board.
Interchange Programme
Over the last year, the Interchange Programmehas overseen the delivery of several key projectsacross London. They include construction at theWembley stations and the Finsbury Park TransportInterchange, which incorporates improved safetyand security facilities as well as a state-of-the-artcycle park. The new Greenwich Station Forecourtsaw a small scheme deliver significant benefits ata local busy interchange.
As part of one of the most significant projectscurrently under way in London, the InterchangeProgramme continues to manage the surfaceinterchange design for the King's Cross St Pancrasredevelopment. The programme is also working onthe development of a number of other possiblefuture schemes at several stations includingHighbury & Islington, Victoria, Crystal Palace,Ealing Broadway, Waterloo and Tottenham Hale.
Stratford Station upgrade
To support the 2012 Olympic and ParalympicGames and the regeneration of east London,Stratford Station is being upgraded so that itcan accommodate the predicted increase inpassengers. Improvements include making thestation fully accessible, increasing capacity, andproviding passengers with easier interchange andconnections to the new Stratford Internationalstation. The detailed design of these schemes hascommenced and construction is due to commencein early 2007. The scheme continues to progresson time and on budget in support of the 2012Olympic and Paralympic Games timetable.
London Undergroundinvestment
Over half of TfL's Investment Programme willbe spent on upgrading the London Undergroundnetwork. A significant proportion of theinvestment is delivered via TfL's PPP contracts.However, because the PPP does little to addresspriorities such as providing step-free access andrelieving station overcrowding, TfL is funding anumber of projects outside the core PPP contracts.
Reliability remains a key priority for the Undergroundand the infracos strongly influence reliabilitythrough asset availability. Asset reliability is alsostrongly determined by maintenance performance.In 2005/06, PPP asset availability showed furtherimprovement, notably on the Piccadilly line, whileinvestment in reliability has continued.
Over the last three years, over 70km of track hasbeen renewed or replaced, with the work rateincreasing annually. Over the same period, 10lifts and 64 escalators have been refurbishedor replaced. Overall, this represents progress onthe renewals programme and it is encouraging tosee the track work rate increasing year on year.
However, the infracos remain behind theexpectations set out in their bids in a number ofareas. As set out in the latest report on the PPP('London Underground and the PPP: the third year2005/06'), LU and TfL continue to have concernsabout the infracos' maintenance performance andattention to detail. In addition, the PPP will not deliver all the improvements that the Tube needs.
As a result, LU is investing in further reliabilitymeasures outside the core PPP. In the last year,work has included opening new sidings in theWembley area to improve service recoveryand to support events at Wembley stadium.
Over the next 15 years, all Tube lines are due foran upgrade under the PPP to replace assets andprovide increased capacity to meet ever higherlevels of demand forecast in the London Plan.Upgrade activities have now started for mostlines and progress to date has included:
- Improvements to allow greater reliability andincreased service on existing lines, including theremoval of speed restrictions and making moretrains available for regular service
- Construction of the first pre-series train of thenew Victoria line fleet due to come into servicefrom 2009. An interior mock-up of the newtrain was delivered in July 2006 for customeracceptance testing
- Closure of the Waterloo & City line over thesummer of 2006 to upgrade the track, refurbishthe trains and introduce improved signalling andcontrol systems. These will eventually enablea 30 per cent increase in capacity
- In addition, further design work has beencompleted for the new sub-surface fleet,and installation of cables for the Jubilee andNorthern line upgrades is commencing
In contrast to the renewals programme, the infracos'upgrade activities are broadly on target, though theprogramme is still at a relatively early stage.
Ahead of the sub-surface line upgrade, Metronetis charged with refurbishing the District line fleetby 2009. This work is a requirement, but alsoincludes additional scope specified by LU outsidethe core PPP requirement. With 17 trains deliveredby the end of 2005/06, customers have started tobenefit from the accessibility, information andsecurity features on the refurbished trains.
The PPP stations programme will see therefurbishment or modernisation of all LUstations over the next six years. In addition todécor improvements, refurbished stations offerimproved customer facilities including upgradedCCTV, Help points, audio and visual informationdisplays, tactile guidance systems, colourcontrasts and induction loops.
At the end of 2005/06, work at a total of 34stations had been completed. This is a much lowertotal than that envisaged in the PPP contracts forthe end of the third year, and contractual actionhas been taken against Metronet in respect oftheir stations delivery.The two most significant achievements of the lastyear were both projects outside the core PPPcontracts. While these projects were delivered byTube Lines, they were sponsored and paid for by LU.
The first project successfully achieved a 17 percent capacity increase on the Jubilee line byadding a seventh car to each train and expandingthe overall fleet size. The work was completed at theend of 2005 with minimum disruption, two daysahead of schedule, at a particularly busy time ofthe year. The higher capacity supports the growthof Docklands and will play an important role inserving the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The second project - the completion of the twoyear,£53m capacity upgrade of Wembley Parkstation in March 2006 - was a milestone event.The showpiece station, which will serve largecrowds travelling to the new Wembley Stadium,is now capable of handling 37,500 passengersevery hour - a 70 per cent improvement onprevious levels. The station also now providesstep-free access from the street to platform level.
Other projects outside the PPP include therebuilding of King's Cross St Pancras, where thenew Western Ticket Hall was opened shortly afterthe end of the 2005/06 financial year; developmentof plans to enable step-free access at a third ofstations by 2013; and completion of tunnellingworks on the Piccadilly line extension toHeathrow Terminal 5.
The TfL Investment Programme is bringing about alevel of investment on the Underground not seenfor 70 years. More of the programme is nowmoving from design to physical implementation.In this context, maintenance of the existing assetsis at least as important as delivery of new assets.As stated in the latest PPP annual report, theinfracos must place more focus on basic assetmaintenance, otherwise service reliability risksbeing compromised through the upgrade works.The infracos and their supply chains must seekto ensure that new assets are properly testedand have their reliability proven beforeimplementation on the working railway.
However, the achievements of the last year,particularly the Jubilee line seventh car project,show that upgrades can be delivered successfullyand it is important that all parties learn the lessonsfrom this. The Investment Programme willultimately deliver greater capacity, remove physicalbarriers to travel and improve the travellingenvironment for customers. Meanwhile, LU'spriority is to ensure a safe and reliable servicethroughout the period of rebuilding.
London Rail investment
Docklands Light Railway
To support the rapid growth in demand forservices on the DLR, work is underway to reinforceits infrastructure. A £7.7m upgrade of its Becktondepot will enable it to accommodate theadditional 55 vehicles currently on order from themanufacturer Bombardier. These vehicles will bedelivered from 2007, and will be used to introducethree-car trains on the line between Bank andLewisham following an infrastructure upgrade, amove that will increase capacity by up to 50 percent and reduce overcrowding significantly.
Meanwhile, the network continues to grow. Theextension from Canning Town to King George Vstation via London City Airport was delivered ontime and on budget in December 2005. This £140mproject involved laying 4.4km of new track linkingfour new stations.
Work has now started on two further extensionsto the DLR network. The first links the London CityAirport route to a new station at Woolwich Arsenal.Scheduled for completion by early 2009, this2.5km extension under the Thames will play animportant part in offering new opportunities forthe communities living in the Thames Gatewayand provide passengers with rapid links to the mainOlympic and Paralympic Games venues in 2012.
The second is the Stratford International extension,which will involve the conversion of the NorthLondon Line between Royal Victoria and Stratfordto DLR operation. Projected to open in 2010, theroute will provide capacity and flexibility for futuregrowth along the Lower Lea Valley and link directlyto the Olympic Park.
North London Railway
There was good news for London's rail passengersin February 2006 when the Governmentannounced that TfL will take over responsibilityfor the North London Railway from the DfT inNovember 2007. This move, another high-levelendorsement of TfL's capabilities, will give it theauthority to revitalise one of London's mostimportant rail links after decades of neglect.
The North London Railway, which carries 63,000passengers daily, comprises 50 stations and 60miles of track covering the North London line,the London Euston-Watford Junction local line,the West London line from Willesden Junction toClapham Junction via Kensington Olympia and theGospel Oak to Barking line.
The North London Railway is currently operatedby Silverlink Metro and the process of appointinga successor is well underway.
Once TfL assumes responsibility, the public canexpect to see enhancements including additionalstaff and facilities to improve customer service,tighter security, Oyster card ticketing and extratrain services.
Long-term improvements will include new trainsto replace the line's 30-year-old fleet, a stationupgrade programme and more frequent serviceson all routes. TfL will specify and purchasethe new trains.
TfL will also work with Network Rail to upgradethe North London Railway infrastructure toensure the delivery of enhanced services in timefor the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
East London Line Project
The ELLP is a key part of TfL's InvestmentProgramme and transferred to TfL in November2004. Once complete, it will help to revitalisesome of London's most deprived areas andsupport the creation of new employment andleisure opportunities for over 75,000 peoplein north-east, south-east and south London.
Currently, £35m of enabling works, primarilyinvolving the replacement or refurbishment of21 bridges along the Kingsland Viaduct, remainon schedule and will be completed in autumn 2006.Repair works to an underpass on Cold Blow Lane,in Lewisham are also underway and will ensurethat the Transport and Works Act powers acquiredin 2001 for the Southern section, will not expire.The Main Works contract together with the rollingstock contract for new trains will be awarded inlate summer 2006.
Passenger services will be sought through aconcession. Phase one of the ELLP is scheduled tobe delivered by June 2010 and will extend existingservices north to Dalston Junction and south toNew Cross, Crystal Palace and West Croydon.
If approved, phase two would further extend theline west to Clapham Junction and connectto the North London Railway stations atCanonbury and Highbury & Islington.
Stratford International
Work on Stratford International station continuedduring 2005/06. Close partnership between anumber of stakeholders is critical to the success ofthis project, which is due for completion in 2007.
Once opened, the new station will furtheraccelerate the East End's regeneration and isanother vital piece in London's preparations forthe 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Crossrail
Throughout the year, TfL worked with the DfT andCross London Rail Links Limited (CLRL) to progressCrossrail, the largest urban rail scheme underdevelopment anywhere in the world.
Critical to sustaining London's status as a worldclasscity, Crossrail involves the construction ofa rail line from Maidenhead, west of London, toShenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
The social and economic arguments for thisscheme have won widespread support among keystakeholders in London and across the South East.It is essential to support London's growth and tosustain its position as a world-class financial centre.
The Crossrail Hybrid Bill was introduced to theHouse of Commons on 22 February 2005 andre-introduced on 18 May 2005 following theGeneral Election. In July 2005, the bill passedan important milestone when it successfullycompleted its second reading in Parliament, beforegoing before a Commons Select Committee.
Once passed, the Crossrail Hybrid Bill willgive the powers needed for the construction,maintenance and operation of the new line.Towards the end of March 2006, Crossrailpresented revised tunnelling proposals that willgreatly reduce the disruption experienced by eastLondon communities during the constructionphase. Days later, Crossrail awarded its first design contracts - another milestone in thedevelopment of a vital asset for London andthe UK.
Olympic and ParalympicGames update
On 6 July 2005, London was officially named ashost city of the 2012 Olympic and ParalympicGames. TfL was pivotal to drawing up the travelblueprint that supported the city's successful bid.Both events present a formidable transportchallenge. During the Olympic and ParalympicGames alone, TfL will be responsible fortransporting 500,000 spectators and 55,000Olympic and Paralympic family members safelyand reliably every day for 16 days.
To meet these challenges, TfL helped to establisha pan-London transport strategy that will:
- Provide safe, secure and reliable transport forall participants and the Olympic and ParalympicGames families
- Provide fast, frequent, reliable transportfor visitors
- Ensure Olympic and Paralympic Games transport will be sustainable, environmentallyfriendly and totally inclusive
- Keep London moving throughout the Olympicand Paralympic Games, ensuring they are apositive experience for everyone
- Achieve maximum value for money forinvestment on transport for the Olympicand Paralympic Games
- Facilitate the regeneration of east London toleave a positive legacy
By the end of March 2006, TfL's bid team waspreparing to hand over its detailed implementationplans to the newly established Olympic DeliveryAuthority (ODA). Established under the LondonOlympic and Paralympic Games Act 2006, theODA holds ultimate responsibility for completingthe £17bn Olympics infrastructure programme ingood time for the opening ceremony. As one ofthe ODA's key partners, TfL will remain closelyinvolved in preparations for the Olympic andParalympic Games.
Progress towards the 2012 Games continuedthroughout 2005/06. Among other milestones,TfL extended the DLR to London City Airport,began work on a second DLR extension toWoolwich Arsenal, progressed plans for the DLR'sproposed Stratford International extension, andincreased capacity on the Jubilee line by 17 percent with a seventh carriage on each train.
TfL is confident that the Capital's transportstrategy for the Olympic and Paralympic Gameswill be successfully implemented on scheduleand on budget, leaving a legacy that will supporteast London's regeneration well beyond 2012.
Technology andinnovation
TfL recognises that technology has a crucial roleto play in making London's transport system safer,faster and more accessible. Its technicalinnovations are already delivering realimprovements.
These innovations include Oyster (see page 44)and Journey Planner, a comprehensive travelinformation service accessible through TfL's website(tfl.gov.uk), a mobile phone or interactive TV.London Buses is making good progress towardsthe roll-out of the £117m iBus Automatic VehicleLocation (AVL) system, which is set torevolutionise the way services are delivered andmonitored. The new system uses a combination oftechnologies, including satellite tracking and GPRSdata transfer, to help bus operators provide a moreregulated, efficient service. It achieves this bypinpointing every vehicle in London's 8,200-vehiclebus fleet, relaying information between the driver,garage and central control point on its progress.
iBus is scheduled to start rolling out acrossLondon's bus garages in 2007, and will eventuallybe used on all London bus routes.
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