19.07.07
Modernisation work commences at Leicester Square station
104 new CCTV cameras and 18 help points will be installed to boost passenger safety
Tube Lines, the company responsible for rebuilding the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, is transforming Leicester Square station as part of part of its £500 million station modernisation plans. Work began at this station last week.
The overhaul will take place during the limited hours when Leicester Square station is closed each night, from roughly 1am until 5am. Every night there will be a team of 100 engineers working at the station, all dedicated to delivering a modern, clean and safe station. The upgrade is due to be completed by summer 2008. To maximise the efficiency of this project, part of the ticket hall will be closed from Sunday to Wednesday from 10pm onwards for the next four months. Ticket selling facilities, trains and access to the platforms will not be affected although at times escalators and entrances will be closed. As well as minimising the disruption to nearby residents, the closure will ensure more work will be taking place during this time than if it were undertaken when the station is closed each night, accelerating progress.
Tube Lines aims to improve passengers’ journeys through Leicester Square station by improving the information available and enhancing the environment. A new public address system and customer information system will be installed in the ticket hall and in the platforms to boost travel information available to passengers. All entrances and the ticket hall will be provided with new flooring and wall finishes to improve the interior design of the station. As with all station modernisations, the emphasis is on safety and security, with 64 existing CCTV cameras being increased to 104 cameras and the installation of 18 new help points to help boost the security of passengers as well as better aiding the hearing impaired. In addition, new lighting will be installed in ticket hall, entrances and platforms to lift the ambience of the station.
The modernisation of Leicester Square station is being managed directly by Tube Lines to enable better management and control of the differing challenges, conditions and interfaces that can be encountered during a station upgrade. In the past the role of principle contractor has often been outsourced. By cutting out a whole tier of middle management and giving complete control to the project manager on site, Tube Lines is confident this new approach will deliver even greater performance benefits and build on its strong record of delivery. When Tube Lines first embarked on its station programme, it took between nine and 18 months to complete a major overhaul. The delivery time has now been reduced by half, with some stations delivered in just six months such as Mill Hill East station.
A total of 12 stations are currently being upgraded by Tube Lines, including Euston and Camden Town stations. A total of 32 stations have already been completed, including nine on the Northern line.
Mike O’Grady, Tube Lines’ Project Manager for Leicester Square station said:
“Once complete, the modernisation works at Leicester Square will provide passengers with a modern, clean station which is even safer than it is presently. Taking advantage of planned closures will greatly improve the effectiveness of this project. I apologise in advance to any disruption caused to passengers and nearby residents while the modernisation works take place, but hope they appreciate that it is necessary to bring benefits to the 44,000 passengers who typically use this station every day.”
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