Case Studies > London Underground Connect Project
London Underground have invested in new communications that will help them to provide improved safety and reliability, better voice, data and image communications. In addition, it will give the ability for London Underground to provide the use of mobile phones in even the deepest underground stations and tunnels…..
This is a 20-year project, known as Connect, and is provided through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) managed by a consortium. The main elements of the project components are a new integrated terrestrial radio, transmission and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system, which will replace the existing legacy systems. These services will enable train drivers to make emergency calls from their cabins, as a replacement for having to use line side phones, and will utilise data communications between stations to inform passengers instantly if there are any problems.
Trescray have had a dedicated team carrying out work on the project that are trained with all the safety, quality and logistical procedures and requirements associated with this project.
Our scope firstly included the surveying of cable routes and containment sizing and capacity for the anticipated new cabling. This was reported and documented on B3 design reports, Red line drawings and our proposals for the new cabling installation. These were sent via an intranet connection directly from Trescrays headquarters, which required approvals by both Fluor and London Underground.
The Second phase, subject to approvals saw Trescray installing fibre optical and copper cabling onto the Stations, Tracks, Inverts, Depots, Safety Critical areas and Offices.
260 miles of fibre and copper cabling have been installed throughout the network and the Connect project team have been given an award for achieving Seven million safe working hours.
Trescray for their part won the award from Fluor, the company with overall responsibility for building Connect.
Accepting the award for Trescray, Gavro Skrlec said: “safe working can only be achieved by rigorous adherence to standards and good communication. We are very happy to be part of a team which has worked so well together.”
Like all contractors on the Connect project, Trescray personnel took part in regular “toolbox talks” designed to address safety issues and to learn from on-the-job incidents.
The Connect safety award is the latest accolade for Trescray’s safe working practices. In its entire 31-year history, the company has only had two reportable safety incidents.