London Underground and TfL

26.07.16

Northern Line Extension ‘remains a high concern’

The Northern Line Extension (NLE) on the London Underground remains at high risk of delay despite improvements, an independent report on Transport for London (TfL) has found.

The £500m contract to design and build the extension was awarded to Ferrovial Agroman Laing O’Rourke (FLO) in 2014, but in the first half of 2015, it became apparent that the NLE was likely to suffer severe delays and go over budget.

These could include building a new ‘station box’ at Battersea Power Station at an additional cost of £240m.

The Independent Investment Programme Advisory Group (IIPAG) carried out an interim review in April 2015 and recommended establishing a project management team with appropriate resources and carrying out a review of what lessons could be learned from the problems with the project.

In its annual report, published ahead of a meeting of the TfL finance and policy committee, IIPAG noted that the project has now reached “a more stable state”.

Site works at Battersea Power Station have commenced and TfL has successfully rescheduled and reconfigured them to minimise their impact on the overall programme.

However, TfL has not yet given IIPAG a copy of a documented plan for the management of its relationship with the station developer, as requested.

It has also carried out a review exercise to establish the cause of the problems, but not the independent review recommended, although IIPAG said there is scope for an independent review in the future.

It says that the review is “essential” for all other TfL projects designed to simulate development as part of the Mayoral Transport Strategy.

The report notes: “The NLE project remains of high concern to IIPAG and IIPAG will continue to seek regular briefings from the sponsor, project director and the project delivery team.”

In response, TfL said its team has regularly briefed IIPAG on the recent developments and “notes that the project remains of high concern to the group. Further briefings will be provided as appropriate”.

More generally, IIPAG said that TfL’s project and programme boards have sometimes failed to establish a sufficiently clear direction for projects and allowed changes in scope without funding them.

It noted that TfL has improved its performance at keeping projects within budget instead of seeking extra funding, but that more progress could be made in this area.

It also found that TfL lacks an overall strategy for the best deployment of non-permanent labour and a good understanding of the total costs of its workforce.

TfL replied that it has been developing a strategic workforce planning capability for the last 18 months, as well as a multi-vendor Engineering Recruitment Framework for the most cost-effective management of skilled non-permanent labour.

The latest edition of RTM features an article on the latest developments with the NEL programme, which includes fitting out two stations and 3km of twin tunnel and their shafts and junctions.

(Image c. Steve from Flickr)

Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an RTM columnist? If so, click here.

 

Comments

Gabriel Oaks   26/07/2016 at 12:27

Surely this isn't the same TfL that wants to take-over Southern based on claims of TOC incapability.......

James Palma   26/07/2016 at 20:05

This is typical TFL. I know i deal with projects there all the time. They are arrogant, dont listen and do what they want, regardless of consequences.

Add your comment

related

rail technology magazine tv

more videos >

latest rail news

Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

09/09/2020Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

Following the announcement of Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) programme to develop numerous stations, today (9 Sept) on World Electric Veh... more >
Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

09/09/2020Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

Three contracts have been awarded by Network Rail to carry out strengthening work to three railway bridges across the Wessex route in the South o... more >
New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

09/09/2020New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

The electric train fleet set to transform travel on Birmingham’s Cross-City Line has been revealed to rail passengers in the West Midlands.... more >

last word

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

This summer, Arriva Group's CrossCountry and the Scout Association joined to launch a new partnership to promote rail safety among young people. Chris Leech MBE, business community manager at the... more > more last word articles >

'the sleepers' daily blog

On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

29/06/2020On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

Following an independent audit, Sulzer’s Nottingham Service Centre has been accepted as part of the rail industry supplier approval scheme (RISAS). The accreditation reinforces the high-quality standards that are maintained by Sulzer’s network of independent repair facilities across t... more >
read more blog posts from 'the sleeper' >

comment

The challenge of completing Crossrail

05/07/2019The challenge of completing Crossrail

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at ho... more >
Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

04/07/2019Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

The move to decarbonise the rail network involves shifting to cleaner modes of traction by 2050. David Clarke, technical director at the Railway ... more >
Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

02/07/2019Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

Smart electrification is the way to boost clean energy resources, argues Leo Murray, director at 10:10 Climate Action. Contractors are clear... more >
Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

02/07/2019Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

The TCR Midlands conference is only days away and tickets are going fast for the sector event of the year at the Vox Conference Centre in Birming... more >

rail industry focus

View all News

interviews

Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

09/09/2020Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

Following the announcement of Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) programme to develop numerous stations, today (9 Sept) on World Electric Veh... more >