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Bombardier Transportation was awarded a £350m contract for the work in June 2011 and has carried out a lot of preparatory work. However, it appears that the work is beyond the competencies of the Canadian train builder.
LU said: “Due to the complex nature of the network and the nature of the work to be carried out over the next five years, LU and Bombardier have taken the decision that LU will re-let the contract and continue the works with another contractor.”
LU is seeking expressions of interest in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and at this stage it has made no change to the original delivery timetable of 2018.
The new contract will see signalling modernised on 40% of the Underground network, allowing LU to run more trains, more often and more reliably.
Combined with 191 S-Stock trains, which Bombardier has supplied for the Metropolitan line and which are now being introduced on the Hammersmith & City and Circle lines, the upgrade will increase capacity on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines by 65%, the District line by 24% and the Metropolitan line by 27%.
Bombardier will continue to supply the S-Stock trains.
LU managing director Mike Brown said: “We have been working closely with Bombardier to find a way forward on what is one of the most challenging and complex pieces of work on the Tube. However it has become apparent to both parties that for the work to be completed within or close to the planned deadline, we need to push on with works with another contractor.”
Bombardier Transportation president and chief operating officer Lutz Bertling said: “Together with London Underground we have now laid the foundation for the complex signalling upgrade of the sub surface railway. Both parties have jointly and amicably agreed to complete and finalise the works that have been provided to date, and we look forward to working with London Underground as we continue to deliver the new air-conditioned trains for the network.”
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