Transport for London (TfL) has appointed Costain to design critical upgrades to the signalling infrastructure on the Piccadilly line.

As design partner, Costain will work collaboratively with TfL's design team to ensure that the signalling system in West London between Heathrow Airport and Baron's Court is compatible with both the existing London Underground trains and the new fleet of 24TS passenger trains, which will enter service in 2025.


Andy Clarke, director for integrated transport at Costain, said: "The customer is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to playing our part in modernising operations to enable more reliable, more frequent and faster journeys for passengers."

As part of the commission, which came through TfL's Professional Services Framework, we will conduct a series of surveys to inform the design process for around 200 existing signals. This will ensure that train drivers of both the current and new trains know when they can safely proceed.

The surveys will include ecological, environmental, ground condition and contamination, structural integrity, buried services (utilities), line level and track clearance assessments. During the design phase, our team will use automated tools and standardised processes to enhance accuracy, effectiveness and productivity.