LUL has the responsibility to co-ordinate the execution of capital works across the Underground network by several different PPP and PFI contractors. This is to ensure both that proposed works do not over-lap in space and time (with consequent risk of interference) and that impacts on the operation of the railway can be managed. To do this, LUL has developed a Master Projects Database (MPD) into which the Infracos-as well as LUL itself and its PFI contractors-are required to feed accurate project plans showing when and where work will be undertaken. MPD is critical to the management of the unprecedented work programme being undertaken on the network.
LUL has been planning for many months upon the basis that MPD would be capable of being used as a management tool by September 2004. LUL itself is on target to meet this deadline although its PFI contractors have trailed behind the Infracos, given that PFI contractors involve some entities related to Infraco shareholders and discussions did not commence with them until after the Infracos agreed the principles of what they would provide in early 2004.