Uxbridge station’s roundel revival

Uxbridge station’s roundel revival

The 82-year-old Grade II listed roundel outside Uxbridge London Underground station has been brought into the 21st century after undergoing repairs.

Transport for London (TfL) is always keen to work with local communities, and after being contacted by local customers and the Conservation Officers from the London Borough of Hillingdon, it explored how it could restore this local asset.

The roundel, the totem holding it and the internal electrics were corroded and failing after eight decades outside in the British weather. They were in need of modernisation, but it was important to maintain the original look and feel. To ensure this, TfL made sure that the local Conservation Officers from Hillingdon advised on the improvements. TfL worked closely with expert signage contractor Links Signs Ltd, and the heritage experts from the local borough. A full structural survey was able to take place and a programme of work was agreed.

TfL, with the help of Links Signs, located original drawings and images of the sign from the 1940s in local council archives to help base the improvements to the new structure on. The support structure holding the roundel was beyond repair so required replacement, and the failed electrical components inside the sign were also upgraded.

© TfL from London Transport Museum’s collection (1)

Uxbridge station Heritage Roundel: before restoration (left) and after (right)

Around 90 per cent of the original roundel was able to be preserved, including the original brass collars holding it together. New energy efficient LED bulbs were also installed along with refurbished acrylics in-keeping with the heritage London Underground Johnston typeface.

Gareth Leslie, Customer Experience Manager
(Design, Heritage & Planning) LU Customer Insight, said:
“I was excited to take up the challenge to bring this heritage roundel
back up to its former glory and make sure that the staff, customers and residents
of Uxbridge could be proud of it once more.

“What made this even more so important was the commitment of the local staff, who are so rightly proud of their station. The roundel is part of our identity and I wanted the residents and customers to see that we care passionately about our heritage and the feedback of local communities.”

Matt Brosnan, Head Curator at London Transport Museum, said:
“The roundel we know and love today is one of the most iconic and instantly recognisable logos in the world – one which is woven into the very fabric of our city. It’s wonderful to see the local community in Uxbridge working with TfL to preserve and restore their heritage roundel to its former glory. Right across the Underground you can see glimpses of how the roundel’s classic design has changed over the years, and you can discover more about its history at London Transport Museum in Covent Garden and our Museum Depot in Acton.”

More information on the history of the roundel is available online via the London Transport Museum.