Environmental impacts – Pollution
Prevention, control and effective procedures
Our first priority after Tube Lines was formed at the end of 2002 was to build a better picture of our pollution risks by identifying contaminated land on the network and mapping drainage discharges. Further monitoring of the contaminated land conducted by Halcrow in 2006 has helped us identify whether remedial work is required.
Work to upgrade substandard drainage discharges continued in 2006. Our main focus for future work is at Cockfosters depot. We are now ready to start construction work here following close liaison and detailed discussions with both London Underground and the Environment Agency, including a number of site visits and workshops.
Objectives and statistics |
Policy objective:Preventing pollution and reducing emissions. Measuring our progress:• We reduced the number of environmental incidents (spillages etc) by 12 per cent in 2006 compared to the equivalent nine month period in 2005 |
At the same time, we implemented processes to make good, safe practice second nature across our operations as well as robust, clear emergency procedures to enable us to act swiftly and minimise any impact should the need arise.
As the majority of environmental incidents in 2005/06 were small oil spills, we carried out a survey of depots’ oil and chemical storage in 2006 to measure compliance with good practice and launched an awareness campaign. “Improvements were implemented where necessary, and by the end of the year we had reduced environmental incidents by 12 per cent,” says Environment Adviser Rebecca Brown . “At our Trans Plant depot, oil-containing equipment will now be labelled with reminders for people to use drip trays and sites are required to have a spill response plan and spill kits.”
Where we are required to have discharge consents in place, at Cockfosters, Stratford Market, Morden and Lillie Bridge depots and Acton Works, regular effluent monitoring in 2006 confirmed that we are compliant.
News in brief |
- As soon as the project team working on Tube Lines’ new Stratford train crew accommodation building uncovered a crushed oil storage tank during site excavation, they reported it using our incident reporting hotline, stopped work in the area and cordoned it off. A soil analysis identified contamination caused by a hotspot of hydrocarbon pollution and after waste acceptance criteria testing, approximately 100 tonnes of contaminated soil was sent off as hazardous waste. - When it came to light in 2006 that some cleaners were inappropriately disposing of wash waters into station drains, the Environment team, Ambience team and cleaning contractors moved in to investigate these environmental incidents. As a result, allocated disposal points were identified at each Tube Lines location, cleaners were briefed on our environmental responsibilities and processes and posters were put on display in all stations to remind them. |
Case Study |
Biodegradable grease offers a smooth solutionBiodegradable grease on the Piccadilly and Jubilee lines. Keeping the dust downReducing dust during record-breaking track renewals in 2006. Greening the fleetReducing emissions from our road fleet. “As a London operator, we have a responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment.”Peter Forsdick, Distribution Services Manager |
