Connect Project - Overview

Overview

The Connect project's intention was to "connect" all the London Underground staff via a radio and telephone network. Before Connect each line would have its own radio system. Some lines such as the Northern Line were recently upgraded to a radio system which covered all areas, while other lines had aging radios that failed often and provided poor coverage.

The Connect project contract was signed in late 1999 and work was due to be complete as early as the end of 2002. Many people would argue as to the real reasons for the delay but the main delay is because the radio equipment needed to be installed on an ageing railway infrastructure in a safe way with no disruption to the operational railway. This means for example tunnel work can only take place when a safe system of work has been agreed and there are no trains running (a four hour window each night called 'engineering hours').

Every frontline LUL staff and all trains are supplied with the Tetra Digital Radio. This radio technology allows more users to use the same number of frequencies by use of digital multiplexing among other benefits. Integrating the emergency services is a requirement from the report arising from the Kings Cross fire disaster. For example, fire staff must be able to contact each other and LUL staff during an incident in a tunnel or station by use of a radio (Airwave). So principally the Connect project is a private, secure, mobile radio system. It's internal to staff and emergency staff.