Objectives & Statistics
Policy objective
Preventing pollution and reducing emissions.
Corporate objective
Improve fuel efficiency of our commercial road fleet over 7.5 tonnes by 5 per cent.
Measuring our progress
- We achieved a 15 per cent improvement in the fuel efficiency of our commercial road fleet over 7.5 tonnes
- We did not have any significant pollution incidents in 2007
Click here for full performance data for 2007
Case studies
Creating a safe diversion
The first drainage discharge upgrade project, at Cockfosters depot, will divert cleaning waters from train-cleaning activities and prevent the risk of contamination.
“It will be fantastic to be able to wash the pits clean without worrying about contaminating the surrounding area, helping us to look after the depot and environment more effectively.”
Peter Riley, Duty Manager, Cockfosters depot
Short stories
- Dust removal
Some of our work, such as breaking out sleepers, digging up ballast or removing tiles, generates dust. To reduce the impact of this on working conditions and prevent it from blowing on to platforms, Tube Lines is investigating the use of fans that can blow dust along a tunnel and into an extractor unit ready for safe removal.
- Fantastic plastic
When layers of years-old and sometimes hazardous paint needed to be stripped during the transformation of Camden Town station in 2007, tracks and platforms were covered in plastic sheeting every night during engineering hours. A water-based stripping agent was used and the melted-away paint fell onto the sheeting, so that it was easy to clean up and did not fall on the platforms or track bed.
- Beating vandalism
A robust coating for train carriages that reduces graffiti damage has now been installed on all Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly line trains. This will save time and money by eliminating the need to remove or otherwise paint over marks.
- Biodegradable lubricants
In 2007 we continued to run trials of biodegradable lubrication on the Northern line following its successful introduction on the Piccadilly and Jubilee lines.
- Green travel
Although a survey carried out in 2007 identified that Tube Lines employees are greener commuters than the London average – 75 per cent use public transport, walk or cycle to travel to work – we are aiming to improve on this figure in 2008.
- Land monitoring
We are still monitoring ground water and soil at three sites identified under our 2004 contaminated land survey – Cockfoster, Arnos Grove and Acton Works. Levels of contamination are decreasing at all three.
Maintenance, monitoring and robust procedures
Our first priority after Tube Lines was formed at the end of 2002 was to build a better picture of our environmental pollution risks by identifying contaminated land on the network and mapping drainage discharges.
Three of the five historically contaminated sites identified under our 2004 contaminated land survey required further monitoring in 2007 to identify whether remediation was required. We continue to conduct bi-monthly monitoring at these sites and will review the findings during 2008. In our case study we describe our work to upgrade inherited substandard drainage discharges at Cockfosters depot in 2007, the first priority site identified as needing drainage upgrade works.
Good practice
We have implemented processes to make good, safe practice second nature across our operations. We also have robust, clear emergency procedures to enable us to act swiftly and minimise any impact should the need arise. Every worksite is required to have a spill response plan and spill kits. Oil-containing equipment leased from our Trans Plant fleet depot is now labelled with reminders for people to use drip trays.
Effluent testing
Tube Lines has discharge consents for washing activities at our Cockfosters, Stratford Market and Lillie Bridge depots and Acton Works. In 2006 we set up regular effluent monitoring which continued in 2007 and has confirmed compliance with the consent conditions.
Hazardous materials
In an ageing infrastructure you would expect to find a number of hazardous materials. These can range from asbestos to pigeon droppings. Dave Simpkins, who heads the hazardous materials team, commissioned a survey in early 2007 to enable us to take a proactive approach to the removal of hazardous materials. We also work with the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) to identify alternative and safer methods for disposal.
Fuel objective
In 2007 we set ourselves an environmental business objective to improve the fuel efficiency of our commercial road fleet over 7.5 tonnes by 5 per cent*. The Distribution Services Management (DSM) team exceeded this target and achieved a 15 per cent improvement, thanks to a range of initiatives including the installation of a global positioning system (GPS), driver awareness training and monitoring.
“The GPS helps us to keep track of where our drivers are and to identify the shortest, most efficient routes,” says Head of Distribution Services Philip Constable. “We have also been monitoring areas such as the use of the fuel pump we have on site more closely and will continue to implement improvements in our fuel data and the application of GPS technology during 2008.”* total miles driven per gallon of fuel taken from our fuel tanks.
Vehicle emissions
Vehicle emissions enjoyed a high profile in the lead-up to the 2008 launch of the London Low Emissions Zone and they remain a high priority for us as a company. In 2007 DSM completed the implementation of a new fleet management system, FleetPlus, which allows the department to record carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions from its entire fleet of 1,600 vehicles. “A great deal of this information is not readily available from suppliers and vehicle manufacturers, particularly for commercial vehicles, and this database gives us greater clarity and transparency around our road fleet fumes,” explains DSM Manager Rachelle Huggins.DSM believes that regular maintenance is the key to reducing emissions and watches out constantly for developments on new hybrid and dual fuel vehicles. In 2007 alternative fuel vehicles made up 8 per cent of the fleet.
As original members of Transport for London's Freight Operators Recognition Scheme, which promotes sustainability and best practice among road freight operators, DSM has been very aware of the implications of the Low Emission Zone for some time. “As most of our vehicles are quite recent, most were already compliant,” says Jeff Musgrave, DSM Maintenance Manager. “Our replacement programme was stepped up and new vehicles ordered to replace vehicles which could not be upgraded.”
New emergency fleet
The new stars in the fleet for 2007 were 10 new vehicles commissioned for our Emergency Response Unit (ERU), representing an investment of £1.4 million by Tube Lines and Metronet.
The ERU is the Tube’s dedicated team of safety and rescue experts and the new vehicles will help them to reach incidents and restore services faster, as well as meeting the highest European emissions standards. The new response vehicles have more carrying space for specialist equipment and are designed to make it easier for the emergency teams to do their work. They are fitted with new GPS tracker and navigation systems that can track journey times, routes and idling and therefore help avoid or reduce congestion and improve fuel efficiency. Each of the new vehicles has a spill kit on board.
