Entries tagged with “TFL” from Working For Walthamstow

Many local residents have shared their concerns with me about the weekend closures of the Victoria Line underground service during August. I recently asked London Underground for an update and this was their response:

"New trains and signalling in particular require extensive testing - it would not be possible to complete the programme in any sensible timeframe without closures. Already more than 90% of the Victoria line track has been renewed, 550km of cabling has been installed and 90% of the new signaling equipment has been installed. This means we will be able to run more trains closer together - undoubtedly vital during busy periods. At present, we are using a signaling system that was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. During these closures, we also test the new rolling stock. The new trains have been tested over a distance of 4,700 km on the line. The first new train went into passenger service last week. The new train will run, initially, towards the very end of the day, several nights per week. It will then gradually operate for more hours of the day over the coming weeks and months. By 2012 when the Victoria line upgrade is complete, 47 new trains will be in service, featuring in-carriage CCTV, improved wheelchair access, wider aisles and doors, better ventilation, and improved visual and audio customer information systems. The project made optimum use of the late evening closures last year, and there hasn't been the need for more of those this year. LU does however have weekend closures to enable the upgrade. "

If you want to receive updates from me as to any further disruption to the service please get in touch.

I have now received a response back from Transport for London regarding my concerns about the rail replacement service for the Victoria Line whilst engineering works take place. They have assured me that a service is supposed to run once every five minutes and that delays have been caused recently by roadworks that have now finished. They have assured me this has improved the service and that the bus company are monitoring the service to ensure reliability.

Oyster card passengers can receive targeted information about any planned closures or delays that may affect their journeys by registering to receive email alerts with planned closures. To register, go to www.tfl.gov.uk/oyster and then follow the "open an online account" link. Furthermore, a new facility to provide weekly planned closure emails regardless of Oyster registration is in the pipeline and should be available over the next couple of months. In addition the "check before you travel" page on the website has a six-month calendar of planned closures - that is available on www.tfl.gov.uk/check.