London Underground 'admits more misery until 2011'

Roger Evans, Deputy Chairman of the London Assembly Transport Committee, has today reacted with disbelief at news that commuters on the Northern Line cannot expect improvements to their services until a new signalling system is installed, which will not be ready until 2011 at the earliest.

During a Northern Line Stakeholder Meeting at London Underground Headquarters yesterday it was admitted that despite introducing a new timetable in October 2006, services had not improved and confirmed that the delays suffered on a regular basis due to signal failures would not be resolved until a new signally system was installed.

A projected completion date for the installation of the new signal system was given as 2011.

Reacting to the revelations, Roger Evans said: “We recognise that the Northern Line is a complex issue due to its age and lack of historical maintenance, however the thought that the hundreds of thousands of commuters who use the line on a daily basis have no prospect of an improved service until 2011 is genuinely shocking, especially at a time when they are asked to pay more.

The fact that delays are increasing despite remedial works goes to show that commuters on the ‘Misery Line’ really are treated as second- citizens.

The Northern Line cannot take the strain and the Mayor should come up with plans to increase transport capacity in South London.”