09.05.16
Two-year track and drainage upgrades set to start on Metropolitan Line
Metropolitan Line work to replace 6.4km of track and drainage systems will begin next Monday, meaning the line will close early on Monday and Wednesday evenings for two years.
The work will take place on the section between Baker Street and Finchley Road, which is currently prone to flooding after heavy rain, causing signal failures.
London Underground is extending its normal working hours on Monday and Wednesday evenings, the quietest times, to get the repairs done because the alternatives would have been closing the whole line for six months or weekend closures for seven years.
George McInulty, London Underground’s programme director for renewals, said: “Our engineers will be working as quickly as possible to replace the track and drainage systems on this stretch of the Metropolitan Line.
“I apologise to customers for the disruption but when the work is complete they will immediately benefit from a more reliable service.”
A recent London Underground report found that 85 sites on the network are at high risk of increased flooding linked to global warming, of which 57 are Tube stations.
The closures mean that the Metropolitan Line will close from around 10pm between Aldgate and Wembley Park on Mondays and Wednesdays, and early morning trains on Tuesday and Thursday will also be affected.
There will also be a small number of weekend closures.
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an RTM columnist? If so, click here.
(Image c. TfL)