Forum Topic

Piccadilly train upgrade

The announcement of line closures to enable the new Piccadilly line trains to come into operation next year throws a harsh light on the postponement of the signalling upgrade. The previous government only seems to have pushed ahead with this part in the hope of keeping seats in Yorkshire where the trains will be assembled. It is simply daft to have spent money on the trains and then not put in the signalling that is where the big boost to capacity comes in.There seems to me to be good reason to expect that we will get an announcement quite soon on this issue. TfL has recently had a credit upgrade due to better than expected revenue and it is likely to get a long-term funding deal from the government along with more discretion for the Mayor on investment. This could open the door to TfL being able to borrow the £2.9 billion it needs.That would mean that finally we get a Piccadilly Line service at Turnham Green - the need for it to be made fully accessible would then be even more apparent.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 216d2 Comments

It seems to me highly unlikely that the signalling would be funded by central government borrowing as that is already maxed out. TfL's stronger balance sheet would allow it to raise much of the capital needed and, if Labour's devolution policy is to mean anything, it must be that Mayors have the ability to raise finance.It is understood that we'll be lucky to get a Piccadilly stop at Turnham Green by the middle of the next decade at this point. I don't understand why step free access couldn't be introduced before that time.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 215d

TfL doesn't need (or want) a loan, it's funding they're after (just like most other world capitals would receive from their respective governments). That said, if the 'order' was put in for new signalling today, it's still years away - and long after the trains are here. As for step-free access... that'll be an even longer wait.

Mike Smith ● 215d