Tube approaching Coopers Lane Primary School

On 1^st November, Coopers Lane Primary School hosted a grand opening for their new tube library, donated by Transport for London. The old Tube carriage has created an inspirational space that will help 600 pupils learn and develop reading skills for many years to come.

The Tube carriage was delivered in September and Coopers Lane pupils, parents, Mace and a number of Mace’s supply chain witnessed the 15-tonne carriage being hoisted into the playground. Speakers from Mace explained the difficult process of getting the carriage in place and offered the children an insight into careers in construction.

 Working with the Mace Foundation the Mace team project managed the whole process, which has seen 35 people working on the project, 1,600 recorded volunteer hours and £65,000 worth of pro bono support.

The 1975 D-Stock District Line carriage was transported by a complex consortium of crane networks from its depot in Acton to its new home near Lewisham.

The tube library and outside learning space was just one part of the school’s master plan supported by Mace. Classrooms have also been renamed after well-known London tube stations such as Wimbledon, Angel and Embankment and   the rest of the playground has been transformed, creating a pretend station platform and a mini ticket office.

Mace has been involved in the initiative from the outset, coordinating the planning and delivery of the Tube carriage. The success of this project is also thanks to the collaboration a number of other companies within Mace’s supply chain including PJ Careys, CH2M, Imtech and the KN Group who all donated their time pro-bono.

This project is the second of its kind after Plumcroft Primary School in London, which is already reaping the rewards of this fun and novel idea. Installed in August 2014, the tube has been a great success and well received by the staff, children and parents.

View the video of the event here.

Davendra Dabasia, Director at Mace said: “The project could not have gone ahead without our supportive supply chain who donated their time and resource – they deserve a great amount of credit. Everyone wanted to be involved and now we have created a legacy for the school.”

Ross Campbell, Mace Graduate Project Manager said: “It’s great for Mace to be involved in something like this. It is always important to remember why we are in this business – to make a real impact on people’s lives and communities, hopefully we have achieved this.”

James Mole, Assistant Deputy Head at Coopers Lane Primary School, said: “When the children arrived back after six weeks of summer holidays they were so excited to see this tube in their playground. It has taken a lot of planning and organisation so have been very glad to have had Mace on board!”