By Andy McCue, 2 October 2003 14:48
NEWS A €450m project to replace signalling systems on parts of London Underground is set to improve the reliability of tube journeys by 20 per cent – but frustrated commuters will be forced to wait until 2011 until it is finished. Alcatel has won the seven and a half year deal to replace existing signalling systems on the Jubilee and Northern lines, with an option to include the Piccadilly Line in 2005. Design work has already begun and Alcatel's SelTrac network, which monitors the speed and position of tube trains, will be implanted on the Jubilee Line by 2009 and the Northern Line by 2011. One of the reasons for the delay is that new trains and stations on both lines have to be installed successfully before the old signalling system is disabled and removed. Tube Lines, the company responsible for the maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines, said the project reinforces its commitment to improving London's tube services. Terry Morgan, CEO of Tube Lines, said in a statement: “Today’s announcement is tremendous news for the 900,000 people who every day rely on the Jubilee and Northern Lines and who deserve a service that is reliable and efficient. This project will enable a 20 per cent improvement to the capability of the Jubilee and Northern lines leading to a more frequent and less crowded service." One Northern Line customer interviewed by silicon.com said: "If we see any real improvement then it will be good - but how many times have we heard about these kinds of projects which just don't seem to make any real difference."
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