GOBLIN woes

Near the top of Will Rogers’ in-tray is Network Rail’s much-delayed project to electrify the London Overground route between Gospel Oak and Barking.

After a phased closure of the route between June 2016 and February 2017 failed to deliver the programme of works in its entirety, passengers on this route will face further disruption as NR continues to develop a new programme to complete the outstanding installation of overhead line equipment.

This must be finished well before February 2018, when a new fleet of four-car Class 710 electric multiple units is due to enter service and replace the current fleet of two-car Class 172 diesel multiple units, adding muchneeded capacity.

Says Rogers: “On GOBLIN, we are working with NR and TfL to explore options and finish it off, but at the same time ensure that it is a robust delivery programme - and that is the role we’re playing. Clearly, it’s within our interest to make sure these things happen on time and with minimum impact to our customers.

“The new trains come on stream in early 2018, and it will be absolute transformation. Two-car DMUs becoming four-car EMUs will be a success story, but in terms of our involvement [with electrification] it is to work with NR and TfL to come up with the best solution that minimises further impact on our customers.

“There are a number of options, and we will make more detailed announcements in due course.”