DLR new train delays: Extra costs to Transport for London revealed
Delays in introducing new DLR trains appear to be hitting TfL according to a new report – and there’s still no confirmed introduction into service.
Transport for London’s Programmes and Investment Committee are set to meet tomorrow to discuss the situation, with trains currently eight months late and counting.
While trains have been delayed total costs have increased by £35 million from £907 million to £942m.
Sidings
A total of 40 trains have now been built with the report noting that the northern expansion at Beckton sidings is complete (though a number of months late) while new tracks to the south have caused problems:
“We have also faced significant challenges, however, including our continued response to the insolvency of Buckingham Group Contracting Limited (BGCL) and the overrun incident which occurred during train testing in late 2023.”
TfL note that a total of four trains are at Beckton out of 40 so far built and continue “our positive relationship with CAF has enabled us to flex the delivery timetable and agree plans for additional train storage to effectively manage the impact of delays, although this has come at additional cost.”
Insolvent
When contractor Buckingham entered administration TfL stated it would have little long term impact, though that was before train testing issues they blame on “legacy signalling”.
The report also states “the fallout of the Buckingham Group insolvency alongside other delivery challenges at Beckton Depot are the most significant driver of cost increases across the programme”.
Combined issues with both sidings and delays to new trains entering service now mean it “places significant pressure on Beckton Depot in terms of capacity to stable and service the old fleet while also receiving new trains for assembly and testing so they can be introduced as soon as practicable and do not need to be stored remotely”.
Southern siding expansion is also a two-part job with one element still some way off: “We are in the process of finalising award of a contract to Balfour Beatty Rail Limited for the final design and construction of these works, with surveys, remediation, and enabling works already underway”.
Start date
One of the most worrying aspects is that no start date for new trains is now mentioned in the report and the omens aren’t looking great with “significant uncertainty while we develop plans to rectify the signalling issues and confirm a revised deployment strategy for the new trains”.
Older B92 stock are now reaching a point they need to undertake comprehensive work to continue in service, and that won’t be cheap. Another issue is continual line closures for testing trains reduces revenue.
Meanwhile newer trains are stacking up as they leave Spanish production lines with a lack of sidings capacity in London. Just a single train has arrived in the UK over the past year.
Housing
TfL could pull something out of the bag early next year if issues are resolved but as things stand that seems a long shot based on this report. It seems unlikely any new train will be running in early 2025 and if delays continue much longer further costs will stack up – as will problems with overcrowding as new housing completes along various DLR branches.
The Elizabeth line has allowed a bit of breathing space but the longer delays go on, the more Transport for London’s finances will suffer.
When the project is complete 54 new trains will replace the 33 oldest trains in the fleet dating from the early 1990s.
I still believe that the new DLR trains will some how enter passenger service from next year. With the possibility of more new DLR trains to be built to add more extra capacity on the DLR. And with plans for the Thamesmead extension to get the go ahead as well.
I would like to see the DLR extended to Thamesmead. I think it should still happen.
Imagine if the current Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was a Millionaire or even a Billionaire. He would have used his own money on improving London’s transport including investing more new trains, buses, trams, taxis etc. As well as more new homes and flats across London. Plus fixing London’s local roads that have pot holes and so much more.