Leaked TfL report damns Metronet’s performance.
A Transport for London (TfL) report seen by the Independent on Sunday this weekend is so damning of Metronet, which operates two-thirds of the London Underground, that it could result in the operator being stripped of its contracts. It stands accused of “poor management” leading to “safety concerns” on some projects. The report reveals that twice in 12 months TfL has had to issue ‘Corrective Action Notices’, ordering Metronet to carry out works to ensure the safety of the Underground structure.
A source told the Independent that report was written “in an extremely aggressive manner”. TfL has the power to force the sale of the entire consortium – owned by Atkins, Balfour Beatty, Bombardier, EDF and Thames Water – or to withdraw contracts from Metronet if it feels that performance in unacceptable.
Metronet chairman Keith Clarke told the Independent on Sunday: "I can not really comment on why London Underground is judging our performance against our bid. That was relevant at a particular point of time, but it is irrelevant now because it was superseded by a contract. The way they choose to portray the facts is entirely their privilege, although there may be political motives to that."
Since the tube system was part-privatised two years ago, Metronet BCV, which is responsible for the Bakerloo, Central, Victoria and Waterloo & City lines has been fined £11.3m. Metronet SSL, which runs the Metropolitan, District, Circle, Hammersmith & City and East London has received bonuses of £9m, while Metronet as a whole made £50m in the year ending March 2004.
