tributehub

Saw this on another site, may be of interest to anyone planning on using the underground:

Due to the wisdom of Transport for London and the tube network, the District Line which serves Earls Court is not running this weekend because of engineering works. The only option for the tube now is the Piccadilly Line. That's not going to be too busy as 20,000 fans try and jump on it!!! God help us when the Olympics come. The whole of the Circle Line will also not be running.

Slight addendum to my previous comment. The District Line is not running between Earls Court and Whitechapel, which for all tube stattos out there basically means you can't get back into London on the District Line after the concert. If you live west of Earls Court and intend using the District Line you should be unaffected.

To everyone going have a great concert & maybe see some of you in the Earls Court Travern.

Kay & Martin

I have issues with the previous post.

"Due to the wisdom of ..."

The District line between Earl's Court and Whitechapel is over 120 years old.  The track needs replacing periodically.  The best time to do this is at weekends.  If this does not happen then the track will fall to pieces.  You may argue that they could do it at night, but the power is only off for five hours overnight and you have to get all the equipment down there and then clear it all away again.  Plus the workmen are always threatening strike action over permanent night shifts.

Now everyone knows that investment on the Underground has been in short supply over the years but it still annoys me when people moan about it.  Either you want an efficient transport system or you don't.  I do, and I'm prepared to forego the use of some lines at certain times if it means the infrastructure is upgraded.  We've just had several months of the Charing Cross branch of the Northern line closed at weekends so the track can be replaced.  They've now started on the Bank branch and the ride on the CHX branch is fantastic now.  Well worth the inconvenience.

There have been suggestions that Ken Livingstone shut an entire line for weeks at a time simply to upgrade everything (track, signalling, stations) in one go but I don't think it goes down well with the commuters.  Personally, I think it's a great idea.  Can't see it happening sadly though.

I know it's a pain in the arse that you can't use the line nearer the surface to get to the gig but try to understand why.

Hi Larry

We are not complaining, just warning people of the possible problems on the night. Totally agree with what you say.

Kay & Martin

Hurrah!

Yes folks - use the Piccadilly line on Saturday night.  The District will be open until the close of service on Friday night so you'll be OK then.

And in case anyone is interested (and is in London for the weekend) here's the entire list of all the works happening this weekend, from the weekly email I get from Transport for London:

Dear Mr Blake,

Transport for London's programme of upgrading and modernising the Tube network is now well under way.

If you are planning to travel on the Tube this weekend 12/13 May 2007, please check if any of the following improvement works will affect you.

Bakerloo line
Regent's Park station is closed for refurbishment until June 2007.

Maida Vale station is closed from 2200 Sunday to Friday evenings until mid August for modernisation work.

Circle line
No service on the entire line due to track replacement work.

District line
No service between Earl's Court and Whitechapel due to track replacement work.

Jubilee line
No service between Canary Wharf and Stratford due to engineering work on Sunday 13 May only.

Metropolitan line
No service between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Amersham/Chesham/Watford. No Chiltern Railways services between Marylebone and Great Missenden.

Northern line
No service between Camden Town and Kennington (via Bank) due to track replacement work.

Hendon Central station northbound platform closed for refurbishment work.

Piccadilly line
Bounds Green station is closed from 2200 Sunday to Thursday evenings until June 2007 for modernisation work.

No service between Hatton Cross and Heathrow Terminal 4 and Heathrow Terminals 1, 2, 3 due to engineering work.

Great stuff, well done with that post information Larry. Very useful for us non-londonites visting.