VILLIERS WELCOMES ANNOUCEMENT TO CANCEL EARLY CLOSURES ON THE NORTHERN LINE THIS SUMMER

Theresa Villiers, in her capacity as MP for Chipping Barnet, has welcomed the announcement this week by Transport for London, that they have cancelled all existing plans to close the Northern Line's Bank and Barnet branches early on weekdays over the summer, pending a review of the programme. The closures had been scheduled to start on Monday evening. TfL have announced that the line will continue to run as normal while they undertake a thorough assessment of what closures are needed for upgrade work.

Theresa said, “This is good news for my constituents. I welcome the efforts TfL are making to reduce the number of closures they feel are needed to deliver upgrade work on the Northern Line.”

“Unfortunately, it won’t be possible to deliver tube upgrades without passenger disruption, but this reprieve will come as a relief for Northern Line commuters. It is important that every effort is made to minimise disruption and early closures, because of the hassle and frustration they cause. This is something I have raised with TfL, and with Tube Lines before the recent buy-out by TfL. Hopefully the review announced this week will provide the opportunity for thorough consideration of the best way forward and a further chance for the community to express their views.”