Depot relocation unlocks renewal at Earl's Court development

Ramboll is lead consultant and principal designer for Transport for London's (TfL) Lillie Bridge Depot vacant possession, enabling the transition of critical rail operations to five new sites while minimising disruption and supporting major urban regeneration.

Ruislip rail depot - points and crossings workshop — Pascall & Watson

Transport for London (TfL) is seeking to vacate all operations from the existing Lillie Bridge rail depot to enable redevelopment and regeneration of the surrounding area as part of the Earl's Court Masterplan. To achieve vacant possession while maintaining safe and reliable rail operations, a new portfolio of depot, workshop, manufacturing, and train stabling facilities is being delivered across five receiver sites.

Minimising disruption and maintaining operational continuity

Ramboll is working closely with TfL to develop integrated proposals that enable the phased transition of facilities and operations, while minimising disruption to services and maintaining operational continuity. Appointed as lead design organisation and principal designer, Ramboll delivers full multidisciplinary services across building, infrastructure, rail systems, and safety disciplines for the concept design.

The technical scope includes the relocation and modernisation of all Lillie Bridge Depot operations, incorporating detailed migration planning and asset optimisation across the five sites.

New assets include points and crossing track manufacturing and storage facilities with direct road and rail connections, warehousing and workshop hubs, a dedicated carpentry building for network repairs, and new stabling facilities for up to twelve train berths. The project also involves complex interfaces with the national rail network, including crossovers connecting to Network Rail infrastructure.

Multidisciplinary service delivery

In addition to extensive rail and civil works, Ramboll is delivering architectural and landscape design, structural and geotechnical engineering, building services (MEPH), telecoms, fire engineering, sustainability, constructability reviews, and cost estimation. New staff facilities, footbridges, and welfare buildings are designed to improve access, safety, and working conditions across the sites.

Through close collaboration with TfL and project partners, Ramboll supports the safe and efficient relocation of critical rail operations while enabling the regeneration of a key London development area.