B3.3 | Management of ageing assets -there are significant challenges ahead

The management of ageing assets poses serious questions for the Infracos. The Infracos must improve the condition of the assets such that the assets reach a "steady state" condition by 2026. But the actual condition of some assets is unknown - for example, the condition of deep tunnels on BCV lines (49 per cent of BCV assets) is uncategorised. By the end of the first period, any uncategorised assets (known as grey assets) must be assessed and identified.

Defects are arising on the axle boxes of Piccadilly Line trains. This is having an adverse impact on passengers, with less trains available for service. Infraco JNP has begun a programme to rectify these faults, but there is disagreement on who should bear the financial burden for these repairs - see Case example 6: Asset defects.