HomeRail NewsVital lights up Sloane Square

Vital lights up Sloane Square

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Vital Technology has completed the installation of a new energy saving lighting system at Sloane Square station on the London Underground.

The job was completed on time and on budget. Infra red detectors check levels of natural light and boost artificial lighting when needed. The technology saves money and energy.

Passengers and staff at Sloane Square will be able to check energy usage on a large monitor in the 144-year-old station’s ticket hall.

Says Arthur O’Donnell, Operations Manager for Vital Technology, ‘London Underground wanted to look at ways of improving energy efficiency, and Sloane Square was chosen as the station for this test project. Vital won the contract to design and install a new lighting system which was both energy efficient and economically viable. This was an opportunity to achieve both of those things as the station’s lighting also needed to be upgraded.’

A PIR (Passive Infra Red) system measures the amount of natural light coming into the station’s two sub-surface platforms. That information is then used to control platform lighting, meaning both a brighter station and reduced energy bills.

Staff can override the system through regular switching as required. Specialists expect energy savings of around 50% as well as reduced maintenance costs.

Says David Williamson of London Underground, ‘This is part of LU’s carbon-reduction initiative to lower energy use. We’ve never undertaken a project like this on any other station before. We hope that the success of this project can be replicated at other London Underground stations.

‘Vital were chosen as the preferred contractor because of their unique approach and their enthusiasm for change. It was good to work with the Vital team, and they continue to have a strong track record with us.’

Vital Technology is part of the UK-wide Vital Services Group. The contract was awarded by London Underground APD (Asset Performance Directorate).

Sloane Square station was originally opened in 1868. 60% of Sloane Square station is open to natural light on both eastbound and westbound platforms.

This station is unusual among LU stations in that a river flows over the platforms. The River Westbourne is carried over the station just below street level in a suspended iron pipe. The river was originally crossed locally by the Knight’s Bridge, after which the fashionable London district is named.

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