04.04.08
Metronet announces conclusion of SSL Upgrade negotiations
Andie Harper, CEO of Metronet, has released the following statement.
Metronet's entry into Administration has caused a significant number of challenges for the planned modernisation programme for the London Underground network. Metronet has made changes to the structure and timing of works, which has affected many of their suppliers and sub-suppliers.
Since Metronet entered into Administration, LUL has been seeking to agree with the Administrator the basis upon which the Metronet undertakings can be transferred to LUL nominee companies.
The result of those negotiations, among other things, is that the BCV programme, currently working to upgrade the Victoria Line with Bombardier's new trains and Westinghouse's new signalling system, will continue and complete its implementation as originally anticipated.
The Sub-Surface Line (SSL) upgrade programme, which is less advanced in its implementation, is being revisited in light of issues unique to those lines. Bombardier will continue to deliver new trains on SSL, and Westinghouse will continue to improve the existing signalling system to enable those trains to operate on those lines. The signalling upgrade works will be re-tendered in accordance with procurement rules as a consequence of the successful transfer of Metronet from Administration.
Tim O'Toole, LUL Managing Director, said: “I look forward to the successful commissioning of Westinghouse's new signalling system on the Victoria Line and to the completion of its work on the existing signalling system on SSL and hope Westinghouse will participate in the re-tender of the signalling system for SSL.”
James Drummond, CEO and President of Invensys Rail Group, which owns Westinghouse, said: “We continue to support LUL through this difficult time and look forward to the successful completion of the BCV re-signalling programme. “In the longer term, as Metronet emerges from Administration, we will continue to work with LUL and Metronet and utilise our signalling technologies to deliver the increase in safety, performance and capacity of the Tube network that London needs.”
André Navarri, President of Bombardier Transportation said: “Bombardier has always performed on its contracts to date and will continue to do so. We are committed to the successful completion of the BCV programme as planned and we look forward to the continuation of the delivery of our trains for the SSL lines. Bombardier is fully committed to offer the best to the users of the London Underground.”
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