London Underground closure 'will accelerate upgrade works'

Date: 17/8/2010

Closures on parts of the London Underground have been deemed essential for the introduction of new air-conditioned trains.

Services have resumed on the Hammersmith and City and Circle lines after being shut for three weeks in order to carry out improvements.

Nigel Holness, Service Director at the London Underground, thanked customers for being patient while the work was being completed.

"We've made the most of [the closure] to accelerate additional upgrade works including platform extensions essential for the new longer air-conditioned trains which are being rolled out … from this year," he said.

Transport for London (TfL) is currently implementing an investment programme to improve and extend the capital's transport system.

It is set to upgrade the tube network, build Crossrail and expand the Docklands Light Railway and the London Overground between now and 2018.

Last month, TfL officially launched the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme, allowing people to rent bikes from over 300 docking stations around the city.

Posted by Mary Treen