Request ID: FOI-3509-2324 Date published: 24 January 2024
You asked
A few years ago you kindly responded to my questions about the escalators at Cutty Sark DLR, which is run as part of a concession.
One of those responses said ‘There have been no recent financial penalties to the Concessionaire in relation to the escalator failure. However, once the escalators have been fully fixed at Cutty Sark this will be reviewed taking into account the entire outage duration’
All four escalators are now, finally, operating.
I am writing to ask what financial penalties have been applied to the concessionaire in relation to the very extended escalator failure; or if none have been applied when they will be applied, or why none will be applied. This is particularly in the context of the concession agreement requiring escalators to be available 98% of the time which clearly has not been achieved for a number of years.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-3509-2324
Thank you for your request received on 5 January 2024 asking for information about the escalators at Cutty Sark DLR station.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
City Greenwich Lewisham Rail-link (CGLR’s) concession expired at 03:00 on 1 April 2021, at which point the maintenance responsibility for the seven stations that were part of the Lewisham Extension, including Cutty Sark, transferred to TfL who handed this over to KeolisAmey Docklands (KAD) who operate the DLR on our behalf..
The availability percentage was therefore only calculated up until that date. When enforceable, it was periodically calculated from an average availability across all escalators in this section. Upon transfer, it became apparent that the escalators were in poor condition, the full extent of this has become known during the renewal, and has unfortunately caused the duration of works to be extended. Since TfL took over responsibility for the escalators we have been able to invest the time and resources to ensure that the current overhaul works being undertaken are sufficiently comprehensive to ensure that all four assets will bring better reliability and performance for our valued customers.
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.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
