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Contractors building the East London line may have to spend 拢600,000 reinstalling 6.3km of cabling infrastructure after Transport for London questioned its fire resistance.

It is understood that a joint venture between Balfour Beatty and Carillion has been unable to prove that the trays it has installed to carry communication and electrical cables meet the 鈥淨uensh鈥� fire standards demanded by Transport for London (TfL).

This is higher than the Class O standards required by Network Rail for the overground.

The fibreglass troughing was supplied by manufacturer Mita; independent sources say it costs about 拢100 a metre to make and install.

It is not yet clear whether the product meets the Quensh standard; a source close to London Underground said Mita was unable to produce the appropriate certification when asked.

A statement from Balfour Beatty and Carillion confirmed that the product was undergoing independent testing. It added: 鈥淭he supplier was requested to provide recent test results to support the quality assurance that the joint venture and TfL rightfully demand.鈥�

A spokesperson for Mita said it took public safety seriously. She said: 鈥淲e always follow appropriate process.鈥�

A London Underground spokesperson said: 鈥淭fL and the joint venture are testing the products in question. Once testing is finished they will make a decision about what action, if any, needs to be taken.鈥�

When complete in 2010, the 拢1bn project, which is being managed by Parsons Brinckerhoff, will extend the line to Highbury and Islington in the north and Crystal Palace and West Croydon in the south.