PLANS to close tube lines on Remembrance Sunday have been branded as “disgraceful,” with fears thousands of veterans and their families will struggle to travel to services.
Nine of the Underground’s 11 lines will be at least part closed on November 14, the same day thousands traditionally descend on the Cenotaph in central London to commemorate those who have died in war.
East Londoners hoping to attend the service will be faced with closures on the Hammersmith & City line, Circle line, Metropolitan line, Jubilee line and Overground.
Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, said the closures were an “insult to veterans” and called for London mayor Boris Johnson to intervene.
She added: “It is simply disgraceful that so many tube lines will be closed on this very important day, making access difficult if not impossible for veterans, their families and others wishing to honour our armed forces.
“I know that many Londoners will wish to show their appreciation to veterans and honour those who have fallen in combat.”
A TfL spokesman said: “We understand the frustration passengers feel when confronted by closures or diversions and of course understand that it is extremely important that people are able to get to Remembrance Services and pay their respects. There is a major programme of work going on to upgrade the Tube and improve services and unfortunately, to limit disruption, much of this work must take place at weekends.
“We do advise passengers travelling to the Capital for the Remembrance day services on the 14th November to check services before they leave, as in some cases they may need to use alternative services. However, the Bakerloo, District and Northern lines will all still serve stations near to and including Westminster, and the Piccadilly and Central lines will also be serving central London that day. We are making sure that as much as possible is being done to make sure London continues to run and people can still get to these important services by Tube or by replacement bus services and other alternative transport wherever possible.”
The closures include:
Circle line
Jubilee line
Victoria line
Waterloo & City line
Overground
District line, between Turnham Green and Ealing Broadway
Hammersmith & City line, between Barking and Edgeware Road
Metropolitan line, between Aldgate and Baker Street
Piccadilly line, between Uxbridge and Acton Town
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