New train for DLR plan hits trouble as contractor goes under
Plans for new trains on the Docklands Light Railway have hit trouble as construction work on new sidings halted after a construction company went under.
Buckingham were awarded the contract to build additional sidings in Beckton before the company hit trouble. A rescue deal saw many projects taken over by Kier, though the DLR depot expansion wasn’t one of them.
In the latest Transport for London Investment Programme report they state work to find a new contractor continues.
It says –
“On Thursday 17 August 2023, the northern sidings contractor, Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd (BGCL) filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators. BGCL suspended works on site and stood down its subcontractors.
“The TfL team enacted a safe stop to ensure the site was left in a safe and secure condition. BGCL have now entered into administration.
“Parts of the BGCL rail business have been sold to Kier Group, but the northern sidings contract does not form part of that sale.”
Beckton sidings are being extended to both the north and south to accomodate 54 new trains.
The same report also states that 19 of those new DLR trains are now complete with the first due in service next year. CAF are building new stock in Spain with walk-through carriages throughout the entire train, air con and charging sockets.
