Skip to main content

EIB backing for London transport

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide US$1.5 billion for investment in the London transport network. The 35 year loan from Europe’s long-term lending institution will support major projects, including significant upgrades by Transport for London (TfL) at Victoria and Bank Tube stations, which will transform passenger access at two of the busiest stations in the capital. The new support was announced by Jonathan Taylor, vice president of the European Investment Bank and Steve Allen, ma
September 15, 2015 Read time: 3 mins
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide US$1.5 billion for investment in the London transport network. The 35 year loan from Europe’s long-term lending institution will support major projects, including significant upgrades by 1466 Transport for London (TfL) at Victoria and Bank Tube stations, which will transform passenger access at two of the busiest stations in the capital.
 
The new support was announced by Jonathan Taylor, vice president of the European Investment Bank and Steve Allen, managing director, Finance TfL ahead of a visit to Victoria Tube station to witness the breakthrough of a new interchange tunnel between two new ticket halls being built at the station.
 
Commuters and visitors to the capital will benefit from step-free access between underground trains and street level at both Victoria and Bank Tube stations once work backed by the new EIB loan is completed. As well as transforming Victoria Tube station, the EIB loan will enable quicker and easier access for passengers changing between Bank and Monument stations, the fourth busiest interchange on the London Underground network. The loan will also be used to renew tracks, points and drainage on more than 102 km of the London underground network, including over 18km of tunnels.

Financial secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke said: “This announcement shows our plan to secure a good deal for the UK from the EU’s European Investment Bank is working. By providing US$1.5 billion worth of investment, vital upgrades can now be made at two of the capital’s busiest stations, making journeys easier for millions of working people. This is part of record lending by the EIB to the UK which totalled US$9.2 billion last year.”
 
Allen said: “More than 80 million customers already pass through Victoria Tube station each year and, once complete, this vital modernisation work will help us to keep pace with London’s rapidly growing population. The loan from the EIB is essential in enabling us to make the continued improvements to the transport network that support new jobs, homes and economic growth in London and beyond.”
 
“The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting investment to improve sustainable urban transport across Europe and around the world. Continued investment in London’s transport network is essential in addressing the changing and increasing transport needs in Europe’s largest and fastest growing city.” said Taylor.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Double awards for Cubic and TfL’s contactless payment system
    March 19, 2015
    Cubic Transportation Systems and Transport for London’s (TfL) contactless bankcard payment system are the proud recipients of two prestigious awards for Outstanding Project at the 2015 UK Rail Industry Awards, followed by Most Innovative Transport Project at the London Transport Awards. Launched in 2012, the contactless bankcard system was extended in 2014 to cover London’s entire transit network – including Tube, rail, and bus and tram services. The success of the contactless payment project in London is b
  • Economic crisis needs non-partisan perspectives to stimulate growth
    February 2, 2012
    Kary Witt, President of the IBTTA and Pat Jones, Executive Director and CEO, talk about the need to put aside partisan perspectives in order to deal with the current economic crisis
  • Lagos BRT opts for Optibus and CapitalCore
    September 20, 2024
    Nigerian capital’s bus rapid transit system will switch to a fully-digital platform
  • New report indicates reduction in London’s pollution
    July 20, 2015
    A new report, produced by experts at King's College London, for the first time quantifies the health and economic effects of the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2), where all previous studies have focused on particulate matter (PM2.5). Combined together the effects of both pollutants reveal a higher health impact than previously estimated after taking into account this further pollutant. The study also found that nearly half the health impacts are caused by air pollution outside London such as diesel