New track and platform lengthening completed on Circle and District Lines

Date: 24/8/2011

Normal service has resumed on the Circle and District Lines after a course of upgrading finished ahead of schedule.

Transport for London notes that for one month a block closure was in operation between two stations on the routes - High Street Kensington and Edgware Road, which is notable for being one of the oldest sections of the Underground network.

During this time, platforms have been lengthened, thousands of metres of new track laid and drainage installed, in an effort to improve the reliability of the services and protect circuits from flooding.

It was originally anticipated that six months of weekend closures would be needed to conduct the upgrades, but in the end it took one month.

Following the work, the track is ready to accommodate the new air conditioned trains that are to run on the Hammersmith and City and Circle Lines when they are rolled out.

David Waboso, London Underground's Capital Programmes Director, says: "We're working hard to upgrade the tube network to provide our customers with the best possible service and this is a great example of the types of improvements that we are making across the network."

It is hoped that 40 per cent of the tube system will carry air conditioned carriages by 2016.

Posted by Mary Treen