Tube firm challenged over disruption to Northern Line
Thursday April 1, 2010
By JOSIE HINTON
THE company responsible for the “sorry tale” of the Jubilee line upgrades has been called on by a government body to reveal how it will avoid a similar fiasco on the Northern line.
The Transport Committee of the House of Commons has slammed Tube Lines, the private company responsible for engineering works, for “unacceptable” disruption and delays.
In a report, published on Friday, it criticised “serious disruption” caused to passengers by 120 weekend closures of the Jubilee line – twice as many as expected. The committee also demanded the company “publicise plans for avoiding similar overruns in the future”.
The report said: “We are concerned that, despite over 100 weekend closures of the Jubilee line, including the complete closure of the line during seasonal holidays, Tube Lines has failed to complete the upgrade on time.
“Tube Lines must learn lessons from its poor performance on the Jubilee line upgrade, so that in any future upgrades, missed deadlines and disruptions for passengers are minimised.”
Tube Lines is expected to finish the Jubilee Line upgrade in October – 10 months after the deadline. The Northern line works will begin in July, but plans for up to 82 weekend closures have already sparked fierce criticism. Traders representing businesses in Camden and Hampstead have said they fear they will not survive if the closures go ahead.
Jatendra Thakorlal, who represents West Hampstead businesses, said: “It has been proved that this company is not capable of delivering, they should not be allowed to undertake more work. Has nothing been learned from the Jubilee line fiasco?”
The committee’s report also criticised the “antagonistic relationship” between TfL and Tube Lines. The committee said the hostility was “stoked by the Mayor,” but added: “Both parties must responsibility for this sorry state of affairs.”
Tube Lines is currently locked in a bitter row with TfL over the closures.
Andrew Cleaves, Tube Lines acting chief executive, said: “Important lessons have been learned and are being incorporated into the Northern line upgrade to speed up work, lower cos