Transport for London (TfL) has increased its budget for infrastructure improvements by £30 million for the 2024-25 financial year. This funding boost supports ongoing upgrades across the Tube network, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), High Speed 2 (HS2), the East London Line, and London Trams.

A report to the Programme and Investment Committee details the additional funding requirements, including £7.9 million for HS2. This will finance level boarding at Old Oak Common station in west London, preparing it to handle the anticipated pressure when it becomes the temporary terminus for HS2 for up to a decade. The funds will also facilitate TfL’s engagement with the Euston Partnership, HS2, and the Department for Transport on design reviews aimed at cost reduction at Euston station.

The budget increase will cover further electrical fit-out work at the Euston Traction Sub-station, expected to be commissioned in 2025. Additionally, TfL’s step-free access programme requires an extra £11.1 million to complete feasibility studies on two stations on the Morden branch of the Northern line, which currently lacks accessible facilities.

Progress continues on the Elephant & Castle station expansion, with the station box construction and preparatory works for new passenger tunnels linking to the Northern line platforms already underway. TfL plans to procure these tunnels by summer 2024.

The East London Line is also seeing advancements, with upgrades at Surrey Quays station set to complete in 2026. Enhanced traction power on this line is being implemented to support increased train frequency and operational resilience, with infrastructure works on the Clapham Junction branch expected to be completed by the end of this month.

At Stratford station, unforeseen ground conditions and water ingress have delayed the opening of the new entrance, initially scheduled for March. This has increased project costs by £0.5 million, with a further £0.9 million requested to finalise the works.

Moreover, £4.9 million has been proposed for the trams replacement rolling stock programme, which includes the procurement process and depot stabling design and build contracts. An additional £0.2 million from the Department for Education will fund the construction of a public tram crossing at Sandilands.