Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Bidders reveal improvements to the tube
_______________________________________________________________

date 31 Jul 2001 00:00
source Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions
type Press release

Secretary of State for Transport Stephen Byers and Transport Minister John Spellar today met London Underground and the two preferred bidders for the deep tube modernisation programme (Metronet and Tube Lines) as they began discussions to finalise their plans for the publicly run, privately built Tube. At the meeting the consortiums gave more details of their plans for the first three years of the contract.

The first phase of the improvements to be implemented by 2004 include:

* 58km of track replaced, or reconditioned; * Improved signalling; * 15 extra trains on the Piccadilly Line, increased frequency on the Jubilee, Central, Bakerloo and Victoria lines; * A new fleet of trains on the Victoria Line with the first prototype trains delivered in 2004; and * A multi-million pound investment on escalators.

Stephen Byers said:

''Let''s get on with the job of investing in the Underground so that we have a Tube system fit for the 21st Century.

''I hope everyone will accept yesterday''s court decision and allow us to get on with getting the investment into the Tube. Londoners don''t want any more hold ups. Today''s meeting demonstrates the Government''s commitment to getting the plans for a #13 billion investment programme finalised as quickly as possible. We shall be working closely with everyone to ensure rapid progress is made.

''I am pleased that the preferred bidders are today giving more details of their plans. There will be investment in new track, signalling and trains in the first three years of the contract.

''Today''s meeting also shows that London Underground will be in control. This will be a publicly run Tube with private companies working for the publicly owned London Underground.''

Note For Editors

1. Press releases today from Metronet and Tube Lines outline the improvements to London''s deep-tube lines during the first three years of the modernisation programme. London Underground are in the process of selecting a preferred bidder for the third competition for the sub-surface lines infrastructure company.

2. The bidders press offices can be contacted on: Metronet - Roger Shire. Office: 020 7932 6251 Mobile: 07801 296172 Tube Lines - Chris Rumfitt. Office: 020 7841 5447 Mobile: 07979 600571

Press Enquiries: 020 7944 3108 Out of Hours: 020 7944 5925 E-mail: press@dtlr.gov.uk Public Enquiries: 020 7944 3000 DTLR website: http://www.dtlr.gov.uk

Railhub Archive ::: 2001-07-31 DTR-001