A £1.4 million refurbishment of London Underground’s electrical switchgear is to be undertaken by specialist engineering company, R&B Group.

As part of the Underground’s biggest rebuilding programme, R&B Group will work with UK Power Networks Services (UKPN Services) to design and manufacture a series of LV and MV switchboard panels for the SSR3B project on the District Line.

Speaking of the contract, managing director, Mark Beswick, said:

“The Tube is the oldest underground railway network in the world and is under increasing demand to deliver the extra capacity needed."

“The new switchgear panels will improve the efficiency of the Underground’s power systems and help the company deliver a leading transport service.”

With around 3.5 million journeys stopping at a total of 270 stations each day, R&B will need to work closely with the team at London Underground and UKPN Services to ensure a successful handover.

Commencing in autumn this year, the project will take more than 12 months to complete and will be constructed at R&B’s dedicated workshop in Manchester.

As a leading manufacturer of both AC and DC switchgear, R&B offers a comprehensive worldwide service for the maintenance of switchgear, circuit breakers and all ancillary equipment.

Mark commented:

“With our previous experience working with the Maryland Transit Authority in the USA, Network Rail and the Philippines Light Rail Transit Authority, we understand the challenges of supporting a travel service of this scale."

“We will need to work to a strict timeframe to ensure that the work does not impact the day‐to‐day running of the Underground or any further repairs.”

Speaking of the project, Geoff Corcoran, engineering manager at UKPN Services, said:

“Having worked with the team on past projects, we are confident in their ability to deliver the results we need on time and within budget.”