Speed limit when approaching Chalk Farm souhtbound
Request ID: FOI-3504-2324 Date published: 19 January 2024
You asked
We asked these 5 questions plus a sixth before Christmas but on 29/12/23 your Jasmine Howard suggested dropping the last question which we have now done.
Here is the revised request.
For at least 60 years Northern line trains approaching Camden Town have entered the two southbound platforms at about 30 mph or more whilst braking to a stop.
However for several years southbound trains from Hampstead to Camden Town brake to about 10 mph before reaching the platform & then crawl to a halt at the stop point.
Our FOI questions.
When was this speed limit imposed?
What is its purpose?
Is it permanent & are we right to say it is 10mph?
What was the increase in running time allocated between Hampstead & leaving CT platform imposed when the speed limit was put in place?
Has the running time since then been further changed & by how much?
Chalk Farm station & the morning journey plays a big part in our, our families & our neighbours’ lives, which is why we want to find out more.
Otherwise we are both very fond of the Northern line & all the people who run it!
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-3504-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 2nd January 2024 asking for information about Chalk Farm London Underground station.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below:
For at least 60 years Northern line trains approaching Camden Town have entered the two southbound platforms at about 30 mph or more whilst braking to a stop. However for several years southbound trains from Hampstead to Camden Town brake to about 10 mph before reaching the platform & then crawl to a halt at the stop point.
Question 1: When was this speed limit imposed?
Answer: 27th February 2021.
Question 2: What is its purpose?
Answer: When a new timetable was introduced in February 2021 (timetable no. 58) there were software changes that meant trains could no longer safely enter the station at the previous speeds. The 10mph limit is necessary to allow trains to flow through the station maintaining safe distances from each other. As explained in the answers further below, the impact on journey times is negligible.
Question 3: Is it permanent & are we right to say it is 10mph?
Answer: The speed restriction is temporary. The plan is to remove it after the next software update in July 2024. The temporary speed restriction is 16 KPH / 10 MPH.
Question 4: What was the increase in running time allocated between Hampstead & leaving CT platform imposed when the speed limit was put in place?
Answer: The previous timetable (no..57) provided 6 minutes for this journey, and timetable 58 also provides for 6 mins. The system corrects itself in terms of timing before the speed restriction applies and so the difference between the two timetables is negligible, i.e. a few seconds difference.
Question 5: Has the running time since then been further changed & by how much?
Answer: No – there has been no further change.
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
