Global transportation systems provider Thales has begun installing new signalling equipment between Edgware Road and Hammersmith as part of Transport for London’s (TfL) major modernisation programme of the next four underground lines.
The installation is the first part of a complete overhaul of the signalling and control systems across the District, Circle, Hammersmith, City, and Metropolitan lines.
Go deeper with GlobalData
On completion, London Underground will be able to operate more trains at a greater speed, providing a 33% rise in capacity by the early 2020s.
The company’s managing director Andrew Pollins said: "This is a major step in delivering this vital upgrade for millions of our customers. The signalling system on these lines is some of the oldest in use anywhere in the world, with parts of it dating back to the 1930s.
"The use of this newer and more sophisticated signalling system will mean more frequent, more reliable, and less crowded journeys, which will help us meet rapidly growing customer demand."
Designed to be deployed in phases by 2021, the new signals will deliver major benefits by 2022. This will see an increase in the frequency of trains running during peak periods to 32 every hour in central London.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe project will also be able to create 1,100 jobs and 60 apprenticeships.
