MAINTENANCE and upgrade partner Tube Lines has furthered its ‘Go Green’ initiative with installation of a ‘living roof’ on London Underground’s new Northern Line control centre in north London.

The Sarnafil Sarna Vert living roof was key to minimising the environmental impact of the building, which houses train and signalling control computer equipment. Over 2,200 square metres of Sarnafil’s single-ply waterproofing and insulating membrane was installed by contractor Cambridge Polymer roofing, with additional planting carried out by Blackdown Horticultural Consultants.

Tube Lines’ head of environment Steve Judd said: “The control centre’s original design was taller than the current building, with a traditional pitched roof, but discussions with the local community, council and London Bat Group led to the improved design with green living roof, which was at the time the largest such roof in London.

“The modular system and straightforward installation process meant that it could be quickly and efficiently up-scaled to cover such a large single area roof, and its ability to hold and discharge run-off water over an extended period reduced the problem of discharging large amounts of rainwater.”

Success of the living roof at the control centre led to Tube Lines incorporating the same structure at its Jubilee house in Stratford, east London.