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Tube trials to Heathrow T5 get on track
London Underground trains are to begin trail runs to Heathrow’s new £4 billion Terminal 5.
Tube trains will be operated to ensure that all aspects of the rail service can be operated safely and reliably, ahead of the first passenger services when Terminal 5 opens on March 27, 2008. The trials will also allow staff training to take place.
The Piccadilly Line extension to Terminal 5 is the first on the Tube network since the extension of the Jubilee Line to Stratford in 1999. Almost 2km of tunnels had to be constructed to carry the extended Piccadilly Line to the site of the new terminal.
From January 13, twelve trains an hour will operate each day at peak time from central London to the Heathrow Branch of the Piccadilly Line.
These services split at Hatton Cross:
- 6 trains per hour will travel to T4, where they will stand for approximately 7 minutes, before returning to London via Terminals 123
- The remaining 6 trains per hour will run from Hatton Cross to Terminals 123 and then onto Terminal 5. These return from Terminal 5 to Terminals 123 and then direct to Hatton Cross.
- Public service to Terminal 5 commences March 27.
The combination of these services will provide 6 trains per hour from London to Terminals 123 but 12 from Terminals 123 back to the capital.
The Underground line extension to Terminal 5 is wholly funded by BAA subsidiary Heathrow. The T5 station will be operated by BAA via the Heathrow Express Operating Company.
Piccadilly Line general manager Mike Challis said: “Once Heathrow T5 opens, a new service on the Piccadilly line will provide direct journeys to passengers between Heathrow T123 and Heathrow T5, bypassing Heathrow T4, whilst the service to Heathrow T4 will remain unchanged.
“Looking to the future, the Piccadilly line will be upgraded by 2014 as part of Transport for London’s £10 billion investment programme. The upgrade will provide the line with a new signal control system, new trains and a new Line Control Centre.”
by Phil Davies
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