Request ID: FOI-3000-2122 Date published: 20 April 2022
You asked
Where have composite/ recycled plastic sleepers been installed on London Underground?
To date how many composite/ recycled plastic have been installed on LU?
A) standard sleepers,
B) bridge sleepers, and
C) S&C bearers
Softwood sleepers
Are creosote treated sleepers still commonly installed as part of renewals on the above ground LU network? If so how many were installed over the last year?
How many wood S&C bearers were renewed last year?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-3000-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 25th March 2022 asking for information about railway sleepers.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“Where have composite/ recycled plastic sleepers been installed on London Underground?
To date how many composite/ recycled plastic have been installed on LU?
A) standard sleepers, B) bridge sleepers, and C) S&C bearers
Softwood sleepers:
Are creosote treated sleepers still commonly installed as part of renewals on the above ground LU network? If so how many were installed over the last year?
How many wood S&C bearers were renewed last year?”.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
In answer to your first question, on locations, these sleepers have been installed at the following locations:
Stonebridge Park Ealing Common Depot Rayners Lane Uxbridge East Ham South Harrow Ruislip Depot Upminster Plaistow Wimbledon Park Wimbledon Oakwood Parsons Green Acton Beckton Depot.
The answer to your second question, on overall numbers, is as follows (note that these are approximate numbers):
A) standard sleepers = 2500 B) bridge sleepers = 260 C) S&C bearers = 2700
In answer to your remaining questions:
Are creosote treated sleepers still commonly installed as part of renewals on the above ground LU network? If so how many were installed over the last year?
No, these are not used for renewals.
How many wood S&C bearers were renewed last year?
4 long timber bearers installed at Northfields.
If this is not the information you are looking for 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,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
