The work is a key part of Network Rail’s £250m programme to improve signalling and track reliability through the busy Lewisham area of South East London and was the first major commissioning to be delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a nine-day blockade, the new signalling system was signed into operation on 2 August 2020, covering the route from Hither Green to Grove Park, Sidcup and Bromley North. As a result of the work, control of the route has been transferred from the London Bridge Signal Box to Network Rail’s state-of-the-art Three Bridges Rail Operating Centre (TBROC).
Network Rail route director for Kent, Fiona Taylor, said: “The only reason we were able to get this crucial work completed is because of the effort, commitment and can-do attitude from everyone in our supply chain, our TOC partners Southeastern, freight companies and within Network Rail. The original commissioning in April was postponed due to COVID-19 and in less than eight weeks, when it would normally take six months, we planned and delivered more than £100m of work, that will mean more reliable journeys for our passengers for years to come.
“It really shows what we can achieve as an industry.”
Rob Morris, Managing Director Rail Infrastructure for Siemens Mobility Limited, said: “This two year project has been a great example of effective collaboration, with our delivery team working extremely closely with Network Rail and the other project contractors to safely deliver the scheme.
“This was especially important given the new working practices and procedures that were introduced to keep the teams working on the project and our neighbours safe and well. I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved in the delivery of these works which has set the standard for other projects to follow.”
The scheme enables 12-car trains to now stop at platform three at Grove Park and for turnback opportunities to be created at Hither Green, Grove Park and Lee, enabling trains to turnback in the event of delays or during engineering works, so improving reliability and performance for passengers and the operator.
The project has seen the old 1970’s signalling system replaced by modern, robust, safe and reliable architecture and equipment. Siemens Mobility’s Trackguard Westlock Computer Based Interlocking and Westrace Trackside System are at the heart of the scheme, replacing the interfaced solid-state interlocking at Hither Green and remote relay interlocking at Bromley North.
Over the course of 21 stages across the two-year programme, Siemens Mobility has installed 58 signals (50 of which were new and eight were re-used), with the existing track circuits being replaced by 254 axle counter heads to provide more reliable train detection. All of the Siemens Mobility equipment was manufactured in the company’s UK factory.
All voice and data telecoms circuits have also been migrated from the old legacy infrastructure in the area to new FTN/x copper and fibre cables along the route, with a new workstation being added at the TBROC to enable the signaller to use the new lineside telephones.
