Information on Delays and multiple Breakdowns (Elizabeth Line, Central and District Line) on 22 January
Request ID: FOI-3840-2324 Date published: 08 February 2024
You asked
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to request you to provide me the detailed information on delays and breakdown on Elizabeth line on Monday, 22 January 2024 especially during 8: 50 am to 10: 00 am from West Ealing and Ealing Broadway going towards Farringdon Station. Also, the delays and breakdown on Central and District line from Ealing Broadway towards Central London. I am making the request because this issue on that day caused me sever delays leading to restrict me from giving my final exam of my university degree. I was an hour and 10 minutes late for the exam and was not allowed to enter in the hall. I had to take an Elizabeth line from West Ealing Station(the nearest station from my place) to Farringdon Station by 10:00 am on that day. But after waiting there until 9:11 am, I took a bus (which also took little extra time to come by) towards Ealing Broadway station to find another alternative. But the Central Line was closed and District Line was taking massive delays and breakdown eventually . The incident was around 9:45 am in the morning.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-3840-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 24th January 2024 asking for information about delays on the Elizabeth Line and London Underground on 22nd January 2024. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“I would like to request you to provide me the detailed information on delays and breakdown on Elizabeth line on Monday, 22 January 2024 especially during 8: 50 am to 10: 00 am from West Ealing and Ealing Broadway going towards Farringdon Station. Also, the delays and breakdown on Central and District line from Ealing Broadway towards Central London.”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
It is not entirely clear from the wording of your request what exact “detailed information” is required. However, that said, I have been in liaison with colleagues at MTREL (which operates the Elizabeth Line) and London Underground and can relay the information they have provided below.
In regard to the Elizabeth Line, at 07:30 on 22 January a fault was identified on a train on the line at Farringdon. The fault affected the movement of the train and the ability to open and shut the doors. A number of other trains were subsequently stuck behind this defective train. Due to the nature of the fault, it was not possible to move the defective train until 09:20 and even then it could only move at 10mph to the depot in West London, finally arriving at 10:50.
The line into Farringdon was closed for over two hours, which resulted in a significant impact on the rest of the line. Every effort was made to run as many trains as possible, but due to the closure of this critical section of infrastructure for such a long period of time, alongside a number of trapped trains and displaced train drivers, this proved to be very difficult.
The service recovery process commenced as soon as the defective train reached the depot. The Elizabeth line had severe delays until 12:11, minor delays from 14:28, and a good service from 15:00. As with all incidents of this nature, the operator has undertaken a thorough review of how the incident was managed, including from a customer service and communications perspective, and they recognise that this had a significant impact on customers. We are very sorry for the impact this delay had to you.
In regard to the London Underground, there were delays advertised throughout the day on the Central Line. The main impact was caused by high winds overnight damaging station infrastructure at Ealing Broadway. The service was suspended between North Acton to Ealing Broadway from the beginning of the day until 12.36pm for emergency works to rectify the issue. The District Line was also impacted at similar times where numerous trains were cancelled.
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
