News from London Assembly Labour

Weekend disruption for Londoners as over half of tube lines out of action

Following a week that began with travel chaos for millions of tube users, Labour today called on Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson to ensure that this is not repeated again as widespread line closures loom this weekend.

Over-running engineering works last weekend resulted in a chaotic and miserable start to the week for millions of Londoners on Monday morning. Jubilee line services were suspended between Willesden Green and Stanmore, whilst Metropolitan line services were suspended between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Aldgate with delays lasting hours and there were severe delays caused by signal failures and faulty trains on the Victoria, Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines.

Labour said that there was an urgent need for better information and communication with travellers to avoid confusion about planned line and station closures. Six of the eleven tube lines in London are affected by closures this weekend, with no service on the Circle line all weekend, and large sections of the District, Northern, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines all suspended. In addition, there is no Waterloo & City service on Sunday.

Labour’s transport spokesperson and Deputy Mayoral running mate, Val Shawcross said: “Many residents and visitors to London face a travel headache this weekend. More tube lines are suspended or part closed than are actually running a normal service – it’s vital that information on the affected services must be clearly communicated to passengers.

“It’s increasingly clear that Boris Johnson hasn’t got a grip of the tube with millions affected every weekend as large sections of the tube are closed. What is the Mayor doing to end the overrunning weekend engineering work which causes so much delays and disruption to commuters every week?

“Today we’re calling on Boris Johnson to pull his finger out and ensure that every single hour that the tube is closed is being used to maximum effect and that Londoners are not faced with chaos on their journeys to work as a result of overrunning weekend engineering works.”

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