TfL appoint Lowery to Piccadilly Line Upgrade (PLU) DC+ETE Installation Package 1

Lowery is pleased to be competitively awarded by TfL the first DC Installation package, incorporating optional ETE works packages, for the Piccadilly Line Upgrade (PLU) programme.

This will see Lowery providing installation services for DC Feeder Cables, Contact On-Line Relays (COLR), Tunnel Lighting Control Panel (TLCPs) with associated DC cabling and Track Isolation Switches (TIS) alongside removal of Knife Switch Pairs. Works will take place at locations across the length of the Piccadilly Line with particular focus on DC/ETE asset clusters at Hatton Cross, Hyde Park and Ealing. This is required prior to the introduction of the 24TS rolling stock, to meet the new power supply requirements and to create voltage resilience (ultimately to 1000v) to the regenerative braking of the 24TS. Works are due to commence imminently and conclude at the end of September 2025.

Company Director, Track and Power, Daniel Burge commented: “We look forward to working with TfL once again, providing our signature specialist rail traction power services and doing our part to support the successful introduction of the new 24TS rolling stock to improve comfort for London’s commuters and increased operational sustainability to the tube network”.

The Piccadilly Line Upgrade (PLU) Programme itself aims to provide extra capacity through the renewal of ageing TfL assets and by delivering a series of modernisations in the Piccadilly Line, comprising new trains, signalling, control and communication, and traction power upgrades.

Lowery are a specialist rail and grid power and systems contractor. Our delivery record includes the prior Sudbury Hill to South Harrow sidings PLU CRMS contract, Lineside Isolator and LV Asset maintenance for TfL’s London Trams and a variety of HV cabling, plant and substation services to Network Rail as a PC Licence holder particularly being the Power and Distribution Specialist partner to Network Rail Eastern for CP7 and CP8. Our ‘Feel Empowered to Challenge’ safety culture has seen us achieve an AFR of 0.0 for the past year, further demonstrated by prior awards of LUL Beacon and Network Rail Route to Gold awards for site safety.

Serving London’s commuters and tourists since December 1906, the Piccadilly line is a 45.96 mi (73.97 km) long north–west line serving 53 stations from Heathrow and Uxbridge in the West (splitting at Acton Town) to Cockfosters in Northern London. It is the fourth-busiest line on the Underground network, based on 22/23 ridership data.