London St. Pancras Highspeed Unveils £300 Million Renewals Programme For CP4
London St. Pancras Highspeed Unveils £300 Million Renewals Programme For CP4
London St. Pancras Highspeed has announced a major £300 million investment in infrastructure renewals over the next five years, covering Control Period 4 (CP4), which runs from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030.
As part of the programme, £4 million will be dedicated to research and development to trial innovative technologies to improve asset renewal efficiency and monitoring including systems for remote condition surveillance.
Ahead of each new control period, the condition and performance of assets is assessed and used to develop strategies for asset renewal over the next 40 years. The CP4 renewal programme reflects the outcomes of this detailed asset review and is designed to ensure the UK’s only high-speed railway maintains its performance cost effectively.
Details of the investment were launched at an industry event hosted by London St. Pancras Highspeed and the Railway Industry Association at Ebbsfleet International station on 28th April. The event brought together more than 150 representatives from across the supply chain, including major rail and construction companies as well as SMEs specialising in design, digital solutions and asset monitoring.
The event was designed to help suppliers better understand the growing pipeline of renewals work and the long-term opportunities available across the network. Attendees also participated in focus group sessions providing input on future priorities for R&D, the role of SMEs, and overcoming barriers to entry for new suppliers.
Richard Thorp, Chief Operating Officer at London St. Pancras Highspeed, said:
“Since 2003, we’ve successfully operated the UK’s only high-speed railway. To maintain the exceptional performance our passengers and partners expect, we are making significant investments in renewing our infrastructure.
“With growing demand for high-speed services, our network must be ultra-reliable and high performing. This control period will see the renewal of key assets to support both existing operators and future growth.
“Our unique funding model enables us to deliver renewals more efficiently and accelerate innovation without a penny of Government subsidy.”
The efficient operation, maintenance and renewal plans allowed train operator charges on the highspeed line which runs from St. Pancras station to Folkestone to be reduced by 20% from 1 April 2025 with station renewal charges falling by approximately 30%.