London - North London Line Improvements
Arbour Welcomes North London Line Improvements
Local GLA member hails new funding for London's most overcrowded service
Hounslow�s Member of the London Assembly Tony Arbour has welcomed the
announcement that London Rail will be making up to £5 Million for
essential improvements to services and stations on the North London Line
including Gunnersbury South Acton and Acton Central.
Tony said, �This is very welcome and overdue investment in a line which has been identified as suffering some of the highest overcrowding in the whole country. I am particularly pleased that many of these works are directly aimed at passenger security and comfort.�
A recent report by the SRA revealed that Silverlink has become the most crowded commuter network in London operating at 7% over capacity against the SRA's recommended threshold of 3%
The high crowding levels recorded by Silverlink reflect the increasing usage of the North London Line between North Woolwich and Richmond, and the difficulties in providing an enhanced service on this route. Passenger numbers have grown by over 50% in the last six years. The over capacity operation on this line alone reached 20%.
Areas under consideration for action include an increase in evening services during the week and through the day on Saturdays; these enhancements would ensure four trains per hour. Other improvements are likely to include the installation of close circuit television on all trains using the line, as well as the renovation of dilapidated station buildings and the installation of improved passenger facilities such as extra seating, refurbished toilet facilities and new waiting shelters.
July 16, 2003