Willesden Junction depot, a vital centre for Arriva Rail London’s (ARL) operations, has undergone a significant transformation with the unveiling of a new state-of-the-art driver learning hub.

The newly modernised facility now has dedicated training rooms, fully equipped with the latest simulators for the class 710 and 378 trains, ensuring safety-critical training remains at the forefront of industry standards.

Peter Jackson, business change project manager, who was instrumental in bringing this project to life, said: “It has been a true pleasure to deliver this much-needed project through teamwork, providing a fresh, modern, and dynamic working and training environment for our operations, Traincare, and driver teams. This upgrade underscores ARL’s commitment to providing high-quality training and creating a better working environment for our team.”

In addition to the training rooms, the renovation has also upgraded the driver manager office and other key spaces, including a newly introduced chill zone.

Scott Ive, head of operations, said: “London Overground is an iconic brand, and for anyone who joins us as a driver, it is essential their first impression is a positive and professional one. ARL’s newly refurbished learning centre now delivers in that regard. It also provides a much-improved working environment for our local trade union colleagues, drivers, operations trainers, and driver management team. I am hugely grateful to everyone who played a part in bringing this project to life.”