VolkerFitzpatrick has announced a significant contract win from Transport for London (TfL) for the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) at its Cockfosters depot as part of the major Piccadilly Line Upgrade (PLU).
Procured through Pagabo’s civil engineering and infrastructure framework, the ambitious upgrade project will aim to help boost capacity and modernise the ageing assets of the London Underground line, which opened in 1906.
VolkerFitzpatrick has been contracted to provide ECI services to support TfL in developing the concept design of new maintenance facilities at TfL’s Cockfosters depot.
As part of a £2.9 billion investment programme in the PLU, TfL, working with Siemens Mobility, is introducing a fleet of 94 new trains on the Piccadilly line from 2025, replacing the line’s existing trains which have been serving London since 1975.
At both Cockfosters and Northfields depots TfL is building new facilities to maintain the trains with extra stabling track and cleaning facilities.
Extra stabling track has also been installed at South Harrow so trains can be quickly brought into use when services start to run more frequently.
Currently, the Piccadilly line accounts for more than 10 per cent of all journeys on the Tube, with around 200 million trips annually (before the pandemic) between destinations across north and west London, Heathrow Airport, the West End and King’s Cross/St Pancras International.
The PLU will require more than 25,000 roles across the capital to help complete what is currently TfL’s largest programme.
Paul Lilley, divisional director, rail and depots, VolkerFitzpatrick, said: “We are delighted to be starting our first contract procured through Pagabo’s civil engineering and infrastructure framework by offering support to essential upgrades to the Piccadilly line’s Cockfosters Depot.
“Our collaboration with Pagabo, TfL, and our supply chain partners will be crucial for the successful and safe execution of this project.
“We look forward to sustainably modernising the Piccadilly line, ensuring it is fit for future use.”
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