Overview
Bakerloo Line Control Room
Spence successfully undertook and completed a full upgrade and fit out of the Bakerloo Line Control Centre, including the provision of building services, fire systems and security systems. The works also included the installation of new tea points, locker rooms, additional office space, kitchen and accessible shower facilities throughout the building at 13 Allsop Place, Baker Street Station.
Scope
A full list of works is outlined as follows:
Phase One:
- New tea point constructed with revised locker room access and accessible shower room created from existing tea point
- Full strip-out of former Metropolitan Line control room
- New 30-minute fire-rated corridor wall installed
- Fit-out of new Bakerloo Line control room, including: fire-rated partitions, raised flooring, suspended ceiling, cable management, power and UPS systems, air conditioning including Lossnay system, and glazed partitions, UPS room and comms room
- New DDA-compliant kitchen installed with integrated design feature
- Refurbishment of offices including decoration, carpets, and new AC units
Phase Two:
- Strip-out of former Bakerloo Line control room and conversion into Train Operator depot
- Reconfiguration into office, locker room, and tea point areas
- Installation of 2No new slab-to-slab, 30-minute fire-rated partitions to separate zones and construction of a new 30-minute fire-rated corridor wall
- Replacement of raised access flooring within live office environment
- Office redecoration works
- Locker room refurbishment including new carpet, drying cabinets, and heating installation
Challenges & Solutions
The works were undertaken within a live 24-hour operational building, with more than a dozen offices, welfare areas, male and female toilets, and locker rooms located within the work zone. This required close coordination throughout to ensure all areas remained functional. Signalers, train operators, service managers, and other key staff were temporarily relocated, with seamless transitions carefully managed when isolating and reconnecting power to ensure critical Underground systems and live equipment were never disrupted.
Many areas could not be taken out of operation, so works were meticulously planned to maintain uninterrupted service. This included careful management of power isolations and reinstatements, alongside a well-coordinated programme to minimise disruption. Additional consideration was given to night-shift staff resting during the day, requiring activities to be scheduled sensitively around occupancy patterns.
Recognising that different stakeholders had varying requirements, Spence maintained clear communication and provided tailored notice periods, adapting to noise sensitivities and access needs. This flexible and considered approach ensured a smooth, well-managed delivery, keeping all building users accommodated while maintaining continuous operations throughout.
