Willesden Jct works to give 25% boost for Overground

23 October 2014
Platforms and tracks upgraded for five-car trains over five day period

Customers are reminded that next week work will begin at Willesden Junction station which will help to deliver a 25% capacity increase on the London Overground network.

It will mean a partial suspension of the Bakerloo line and some London Overground services connecting to Willesden Junction for a five day period.  

The platform extension work is part of Transport for London's (TfL) continuous programme of investment and delivery of passenger benefits to London Overground and will enable its trains to be lengthened to five carriages. The extension works will take place at Willesden Junction between 29 October and 2 November.  

TfL's Director of London Overground, Mike Stubbs, said: `I apologise for the inconvenience caused but these works are essential for the high-performing London Overground service to continue to grow to meet increasing demand. Before we can deliver to passengers a fifth carriage and the benefits of extra space and a more comfortable commute, we need to extend not only the platform at Willesden Junction low level station but also carry out some track work there.  

`To help reduce disruption, we have scheduled the work for the mid-term break which always sees reduced numbers of passengers.`

Because the works involve Willesden Junction's Platform 2, Bakerloo Tube line services which use the low level part of the station are also affected.  

The works are part of a £320m, 25% capacity increase programme across the London Overground network. To accommodate the longer trains, station platforms across the network are being extended, train depots upgraded and expanded, new train stabling facilities built and alterations made to the signalling system.

London Overground achieved one of the UK's highest scores for passenger satisfaction (91% compared to a national average of 82%) in the results of a survey published earlier this year by independent transport watchdog, Passenger Focus. The railway also regularly scores in the top three places in Network Rail's monthly performance and punctuality tables. In the most recent period 14 September to 11 October, 95.7% of London Overground trains reached their terminating station within five minutes of their scheduled arrival time. This compares with the national average for the period of 90.1%.

Between 29 October and 2 November, there will be no service on the:
  • Bakerloo line between Queen's Park and Harrow & Wealdstone (on the 29th from 21:30)
  • London Overground between Queen's Park and Harrow & Wealdstone (on the 29th from 21:30) and between Queen's Park and Wembley Central (from 30 Oct - 2 Nov)

Passengers are encouraged to use alternative routes. London Midland services between Euston and Watford will be accepting valid London Underground and Overground tickets. A replacement bus service will also operate. Visit tfl.gov.uk/londonoverground for more details or follow @LDNOverground / @bakerlooline    

London Overground trains will operate between Queen's Park and Euston (to the south of the closed section) and between Harrow & Wealdstone and Watford Junction on the 29th and between Wembley Central and Watford Junction from the 30th - 2nd (to the north)

Bakerloo line trains will run between Queen's Park and Elephant & Castle

A replacement bus service will operate on the following route during the week:

  • Queen's Park - Kensal Green - Willesden Junction - North Acton (for the Central line) - Harlesden - Stonebridge Park - Wembley Central

On Wednesday 29 October (from 21:30), this service will be extended from Wembley Central as follows:

  • North Wembley - Preston Road (for the Metropolitan line and South Kenton) - Kenton - Harrow & Wealdstone, as London Overground trains will only run between Harrow & Wealdstone and Watford junction after 21:30.

On Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October, additional rail replacement buses will run every 15 minutes (peak hours only) in both directions to connect with the Jubilee line:

  • Carpenders Park - Stanmore (non-stop)
  • Hatch End - Headstone Lane - Stanmore

On 30/31 October, valid rail tickets will be accepted on Jubilee line services between West Hampstead and Stanmore. Alternatively, customers can use London Midland services between Euston and Harrow & Wealdstone/Watford Junction.

The first longer trains will be introduced on the Highbury & Islington to New Cross/Crystal Palace/West Croydon/Clapham Junction routes later this year, followed by the Richmond/Clapham Junction to Stratford line by the end of 2015.

For more information on the capacity improvement works visit www.tfl.gov.uk/overgroundcapacity .