There’ve been some big improvements to the Northern Line in recent years, but the recent announcement on engineering works by Transport for London, which will see extensive closures this year and in 2010, could see it again dubbed the “Misery Line”.

Tube Lines, the firm in charge of Northern Line upgrades, have doubled their original requests for weekend closures on the line and have announced it wants to close certain stations early on weeknights. Their current plan is to close the line north of Kennington from 10pm for 16 months from July and during most weekends for 20 months, starting in March.

As the Northern Line is one of the busiest lines on London’s tube network - 840,000 people use the service on weekdays - these upgrades will be an inconvenience for many. Recently, Sadiq Khan MP met with the managing director of London Underground, and will continue to reach a deal that causes minimum disruption for local residents.

There is, of course, a long-term benefit to these signalling upgrade works.  They will improve the track and signalling systems, cutting journey times and allowing 20% more trains to run in rush-hour. So while many of us will be frustrated during these upgrades, the end of the Misery Line is in sight!

Sadiq will continue to press Mayor Boris Johnson and Transport for London to ensure adequate transport arrangements are made throughout the closures to keep Tooting moving, so you are inconvenienced little as possible.

Northern Line closures for 2010:

Morden to Tooting Broadway

March 27/28
April 10/11

Morden to Kennington

April 24/25
May 08/09, 22/23
June 12/13, 19/20
July 10/11, 24/25, 31
August 01, 07/08, 28 to 30
September 18/19
October 02/03, 23/24, 30/31
November 06/07, 20/21
December 11/12

Full line

December 04/05, 25 to 28