Project Overview

Major drainage problems at Newbury Park Station, in Redbridge, an over-ground section of the Central Line on London’s Tube, threatened to cause serious disruption to train services.

Surface water was building up along the track, causing signalling equipment to trip, potentially delaying train services.

London Underground called in Lanes Rail, its planned drainage maintenance contractor, to replace a six metre section of 300mm diameter track drainage pipe, which was found to have collapsed.

Further investigations by the Lanes Rail maintenance teams found another 22m section of pipe further down the track also blocked by a collapse, and needing to be replaced.

Despite the work, the drainage problems persisted, and Lanes Rail was called in again to carry out further investigations.

Working their way methodically along the track, they found the answer. There was a problem with the drainage outfall.

The track drainage pipe had not been connected to a pump station that was supposed to pump the water into the main surface water sewers.

This fact, combined with the blockages, meant the water had only one way to go, which was back up the pipe and out onto the track.

Lanes Group Challenge

Newbury Park Station on London Underground’s Central Line had experienced intermittent track drainage problems over a number of months. Replacing a collapsed section of drainage pipe did not solvethe problem. Lanes Rail was called on to get to the root of what was going on, and deliver the right repair solution.

Lanes Group Achievements

• Lanes Rail teams showed expertise, experience and determination to get to the root of a persistent drainage problem

• Drainage blockages and a failed connection that could have contributed to train delays and penalty costs were cured

• Lanes Rail delivered a solution safely and effectively, reflecting its strong record and reputation for health and safety.