Stating they have "no plans for the Piccadilly line to stop at Turnham Green"
2,348 local people want it, Hounslow Council want it and it's the top issue in London on the Prime Minister's on-line petition website but London Underground remain firm stating that they have no plans for the Piccadilly line to stop at Turnham Green.
In a letter to a local newspaper, London Underground's Director of Strategy and Service Development Richard Parry claimed that the extra stop would "extend journey times for all passengers travelling to and from stations west of Acton town, including Heathrow and Uxbridge, and would necessitate a reduced Piccadilly line service to all destinations."
He continued "Between Hammersmith and Acton Town, the Piccadilly and District lines run in parallel to each other. Presently, Piccadilly line trains travel non-stop between Hammersmith and Acton Town and do not call at Ravenscourt Park, Stamford Brook, Turnham Green or Chiswick Park, as the District line already serves these stations.
He went to to say that Chiswick resident and creator of petition Gareth Thomas' claim that the District Line is not overcrowded between Turnham Green and Hammersmith was incorrect. Mr Parry said that the Piccadilly line is currently busier than the District line in this section of the network adding that stopping at further stations already served by the District line had the potential to increase this crowding.
He concluded "Passengers travelling on the Piccadilly line wishing to travel to Turnham Green are advised to change at Acton Town or Hammersmith for the District line."
The knock back has done little to dampen the campaigners' spirits even though some agree with Mr Parry's points about the overcrowding. Although few will miss the irony in the fact that the ongoing weekend engineering work means that on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 March, the District Line will be suspended between West Kensington and Acton Town / Richmond and Piccadilly Line trains will call additionally at Ravenscourt Park, Stamford Brook (westbound only) and Turnham Green throughout the weekend.
NB. Replacement buses operate between Turnham Green and Gunnersbury, for Silverlink connections to/from Kew Gardens and Richmond. Customers for Chiswick Park should use Gunnersbury or local bus services to/from Turnham Green.
March 22, 2007
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