An extension to the Jubilee Line underground line was proposed in the 1980s, the idea being to extend the existing line southwards from Green Park station to South London, via Westminster, Waterloo and London Bridge, reaching areas that hither to had not had a tube service, for instance the Greenwich peninsula which was to be developed (e.g. for the Millennium Dome) and most importantly to provide a good transport link to the new developments at Canary Wharf and beyond.

When the project finally went ahead in the mid 1990's Sir Robert McAlpine were chosen as one of the lead main contractors to build the now famous North Greenwich Station as well as various support buildings and shaft projects in and around the local areas spanning from Bermondsey to Canning Town.

As a long standing subcontractor to Sir Robert McAlpine Lucas were awarded the painting and specialist coatings package for the entire project which at the time was known as "JLE Contract 110".