The UK's Transport for London has awarded a contract to British infrastructure company Balfour Beatty to carry out upgrade works on the Piccadilly line of the London Underground tube system.

The contract has an estimated value of £43m.

Balfour will oversee the design and installation of new assets and related cable routes at both the Hatton Cross and Hounslow substations.

These new assets include transformer rectifiers, DC switchboards, auxiliary transformers, and switchboards of various voltage ratings.

The scope of this work is set to contribute to the increase in ‘Traction Power’ required for the next generation of Piccadilly line trains, as well as greater capacity throughout the route.

The upgrades are expected to enhance the travel experience of thousands of commuters daily.

Balfour Rail segment managing director Mick Rayner said: “This latest contract award is a testament to our longstanding relationship with Transport for London, having worked collaboratively with them for the last 20 years.

“We look forward to further supporting the upgrade and enhancement of the Piccadilly line helping to provide a smooth and reliable service for the travelling public across the city.”

Construction work is set to begin by the end of this year and is expected to be completed in 2026.

The project is expected to generate approximately 40 jobs during its construction peak, with 5% of these jobs comprising apprenticeships and graduate opportunities.

This is the second contract awarded under the "London Underground High Voltage Power" framework, to which Balfour was assigned last year.