Piccadilly Line Closures for Upgrade Works

Piccadilly Line Closures Announced as TfL Begins Vital Upgrade Works

Transport for London (TfL) is set to commence essential upgrade works on the Piccadilly line, leading to a series of part closures beginning on Saturday, 17th August. The disruption is a necessary step in a £2.9 billion investment aimed at modernizing the line, which will include the introduction of 94 new trains within the next six months.

Upcoming Closures and Disruptions

The first closure will occur on the night of Friday, 16th August, with no service between King’s Cross and Cockfosters from 12:30 AM to 6:00 AM on Saturday. Stations affected include Hammersmith Broadway, Barons Court, and Earl’s Court.

Further disruptions will follow from Saturday, 17th August to Sunday, 1st September, with the line closed between Wood Green and Cockfosters in the north, and between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge on the north-western section. These closures are necessary to create new track crossings and sidings, which will ultimately enhance service reliability.

As a result, passengers can expect reduced services on other parts of the line, including to Heathrow Terminal 4 and between Wood Green and Acton Town. TfL is advising passengers to seek alternative routes via other Tube lines and buses during this period. Full details of the closures and alternative travel options can be found here.

New Trains on the Horizon

This disruption paves the way for the introduction of new air-conditioned trains, which are being built in Yorkshire. These trains will feature walk-through carriages, wider all-double doors, and improved digital displays, and will increase passenger capacity by 10%.

Stuart Harvey, a senior official at TfL, commented, “Introducing a new fleet of trains is a huge engineering and logistical feat, with closures, where possible, kept to school holidays, when demand is reduced.”