THE company responsible for keeping Central Line trains running has been highly commended in the National Rail Awards for its £90m fleet overhaul. Metronet Rail replaced over a million significant components on 680 vehicles in just two years, instead of the four-and-a-half years originally planned, following concerns raised by the inquiry into the Chancery Lane derailment. It was recognised in the Project of the Year category.

The judges said: "Metronet is to be congratulated for tackling deep-seated problems with its train fleet head-on and a useful outcome is that the level of service frequency can be stepped up."

A Metronet spokesman said: "Coupled with significant changes to fleet management and maintenance activities, Central Line trains are now some three times more reliable than when Metronet took responsibility for the line in April 2003.

"At the same time, Metronet has made over ten per cent more trains available for both peak and off-peak services."

Central Line performance won London Underground the accolade Best London Suburban Operator.

Metronet was also selected, alongside Transport for London, London Underground, Tube Lines, and the British Transport Police, for a Special Achievement Award recognising the collaboration and response to the 7/7 bombings last year.

The company was further shortlisted in two other categories - Outstanding Teamwork and Freight Achievement.

Metronet is responsible for upgrading, replacing and maintaining nine of the 12 lines on the London Underground network and will spend £17 billion during its 30-year contract.

Around £7 billion of this will be spent during the first seven-and-a-half years of the contract on new trains, new track, new signalling and refurbished and modernised stations.