TfL seeks suppliers for next stage in Elephant & Castle Capacity Upgrade

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Transport for London (TfL) has published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) seeking suppliers to deliver the next stage of the vital capacity upgrade project at Elephant & Castle Tube station.

The multi-million pound contract, which is funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA), London Borough of Southwark (LBS), and contributions from local developers, will involve the design and construction of passenger tunnels connecting the new station box to the existing platforms, and associated civil works associated with the completion of the new station box.

The station upgrade forms part of the wider redevelopment of Elephant & Castle and is essential to support the delivery of over 10,000 new jobs and 5,000 new homes.

The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 20 May, with an industry engagement day scheduled for Friday 27 May where interested suppliers can find out more.

Improvements to the Tube station as part of the capacity upgrade include:

  • The current phase (Stage 1) involves key tunnelling works which, subject to funding of a future fit-out of the station box (Stage 2), will enable a new entrance and ticket hall. This will be integrated with the Elephant & Castle shopping centre redevelopment currently under construction and will eventually replace the current Northern line entrance and ticket hall.
  • Once completed, delivering enhanced capacity to support long term growth across the Elephant & Castle opportunity area to meet the projected around 30 per cent increase in demand for services from the station by 2031 
  • Providing step-free access to the Northern line 

TfL signed an agreement in December 2021 with Elephant and Castle Development UK Ltd, the developer of the area’s shopping centre, to build the new station box which will house the new entrance and ticket hall. The complex station work, which is funded by the GLA, LBS, and developer contributions, started earlier this year.

Martin Weaver, TfL’s Programme Delivery Manager said: “With work on the new station box at Elephant & Castle Tube station underway, we are now seeking suppliers to deliver the next stage of this vital upgrade which centres on the construction of the passenger tunnels to connect the new station box with the platforms.

“This work is absolutely critical in eventually delivering a much-needed new entrance and ticket hall at Elephant & Castle which will increase capacity, making journeys through the station quicker, easier and more comfortable. The project will also deliver step-free access to the Northern line for the first time.”

The completion of the station upgrade, which includes future stages such as the fit-out of the station box, is dependent on TfL securing the necessary long-term capital funding.

During the part closure of the Bank branch of the Northern line for the vital capacity upgrade work at Bank station, TfL took the opportunity to carry out a series of complex enabling works for the Elephant & Castle station upgrade. This will help to minimise disruption in the future and has included demolishing platform rooms and re-locating electrical cables and other assets on the overbridge to prepare for tunnelling breakthroughs.

Image credit: TfL

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