AECOM has been selected by Dragados UK to serve as the lead designer on the first stage of the design and construction of new passenger tunnels at the Elephant & Castle Tube station in London.

The company will lead on engineering, covering all tunnelling works associated with the new station box, as well as environment and stakeholder engagement services.
WW+P and Dr Sauer will provide architectural services and tunnelling expertise, respectively, and have been appointed to the project under AECOM.

This appointment follows Transport for London’s (TfL’s) recent announcement that Dragados UK had been awarded the design and build contract, which will see the new station box and passenger tunnels connected to the existing platforms and overbridge.

The upgrade is intended to substantially increase the station’s capacity, with footfall expected to rise by 25–40% by 2041.

The new passenger tunnels will play a key part in providing step-free access to the Northern line at Elephant & Castle station for the first time.

Steve Woodrow, director – global practice tunnelling lead at AECOM, said: “AECOM’s appointment as lead designer on this project serves as a testament to both the breadth of our tunnelling expertise and the strength of our ongoing relationship with Dragados UK, having worked together on the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade project.

“The upgrade to Elephant & Castle station will provide necessary futureproofing for the years ahead, helping it to meet growing passenger demand, improve services and provide greater connectivity for the local area.

“Similarly, providing step-free access to the Northern line will greatly boost accessibility and safety at the station, which was an important goal during the bidding process.”

AECOM has helped deliver a wide range of tunnelling projects in London in recent years, delivering services for the Thames Tideway Tunnel, the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the UK water industry, for Phase 2 of the UK National Grid’s London Power Tunnels scheme and for TfL’s Elizabeth line.

Excavation work for 135 metres of new passenger tunnels for the Elephant & Castle station will begin in 2025 and is due to be completed in 2027.