CBS Outdoor: Project Beck

Client: CBS Outdoor
Project: Project Beck
Value: £12m
Start: January 2006
Completion: December 2008

Scope:

This contract, with 120 staff based in the City of London, consists of installing 27,000 replacement advertising display panels across the 270 stations on the London Underground system by the end of 2008. (As an extension to the LUL contract, we have also carried out installations on eight stations on the Docklands Light Railway).

The London Underground System provides one of the most challenging work environments within the UK rail environment, with a system that has evolved over 100 years from traditional Victorian construction methods to the latest state of the art tunnelling techniques used on the Jubilee Line. This time span has resulted in alterations and upgrades to assets, many of which such as World War Two bomb damage, have never been
accurately recorded.

As such a contract like Project Beck is not merely one of replacing old signs with new. A team of designers working in advance of any installation works had to investigate existing LUL asset records to establish existing services, construction methods, and impact on passenger flows and train movements of the proposed works at each location. Prior to any installation works the Clancy Docwra team was tasked to carry out intrusive investigation works,both to verify the existing records, and to establish conditions where asset records were poor or contradictory. Only when a final design was agreed and signed off for each sign were Clancy Docwra installation team able to proceed.

Typical installation works may include:
 

  • Upgrading of electrical supply and distribution
  • Rerouting and diversion of existing services
  • Repairs to tunnel and station walls
  • Structural reinforcements
  • Re-profiling of walls to accommodate larger signs
  • Re-tiling of walls and floors often to LUL Heritage Standards
  • Carpentry works
  • Painting
  • Working from the track to install cross track media signs opposite platforms
  • Works involving lifts and escalators
  • Client and LUL sign-off at each location