London Underground

Overview

As part of preparations for privatisation, London Underground established three Infrastructure Companies (Infracos) to manage upgrades and renewals: SSL (Circle, District & Metropolitan lines), BCV (Bakerloo, Central & Victoria lines), and JNP (Jubilee, Northern & Piccadilly lines). The SSL Infraco was tasked with delivering a major programme of station modernisations and bridge renewals on a largely Victorian network, requiring robust project management to maintain near-continuous service while modernising assets.

The Challenge

London Underground needed clear evidence of effective project controls to ensure that renewal works on the SSL network were being managed efficiently and in line with industry best practice. However, inconsistencies in processes and reporting created uncertainty for stakeholders and raised concerns about delivery reliability.

Our Approach

We were invited to audit SSL’s project management processes and carried out a detailed reconciliation of current practices against recognised industry Codes of Practice and Association for Project Management (APM) standards.

• Delivered a structured review of management controls.

• Produced a comprehensive report highlighting gaps and areas for improvement.

• Presented recommendations directly to the Executive Board.

The Outcome

Our findings were fully accepted by the Board, and we were entrusted with implementing the recommendations. This restored confidence in the programme’s cost and schedule management controls, ensuring London Underground had the governance and assurance needed to deliver the station modernisations and bridge renewals effectively.