Asbestos containing components 1973ts Piccadilly line
Request ID: FOI-1566-2223 Date published: 25 October 2022
You asked
I wish to confirm whether TfL still has asbestos containing components on their 1973ts trains and whether there is a plan to remove these asbestos components. I also wish to confirm whether TfL allow these components to be refitted once removed or whether these components must be replaced with non-asbestos containing components.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1566-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 30 September 2022, asking for information about asbestos components on the Piccadilly line rolling stock.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Specifically you asked:
I wish to confirm whether TfL still has asbestos containing components on their 1973ts trains and whether there is a plan to remove these asbestos components. I also wish to confirm whether TfL allow these components to be refitted once removed or whether these components must be replaced with non-asbestos containing components.
The rolling stock currently in use on the Piccadilly line (1973TS) was manufactured in or around 1973 and consequently, asbestos containing materials were used. However, this rolling stock has undergone refurbishment, which included removal of some of the asbestos containing materials, although some still remain.
This rolling stock will be replaced with new trains which are scheduled to enter passenger service from 2025 so there are no plans to carry out complete removal and replacement of these components while they remain in good condition.
Please note any remaining asbestos containing materials are managed in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which includes re-inspections to ensure that the asbestos remains in good condition. If the condition deteriorates, these components are removed and replaced with non-asbestos alternatives.
If an individual asbestos containing material is removed from the train, it is not reinstated. However, there may be circumstances where an assembly is removed from a train which may contain asbestos components. Provided such asbestos components are in good condition and crucially, have not been disturbed (i.e. not removed from the assembly), the complete unit may be re-instated. If however, these asbestos components contained within the assembly are in poor condition, they will be removed and replaced with a non-asbestos equivalent.
Please note the term ‘assembly’ in this context refers to a part of the train that can be removed without disturbing asbestos containing materials contained within, such as equipment boxes or resistor grids.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
