Here's the text of a letter from tfl to Stella Creasy MP which she has put on FB
Victoria line works this August to support the increase in frequency of service
Victoria line passengers already get one of the highest frequency train services in the UK – 34 trains per hour at busiest times, a less than two minute wait between trains. However in order to meet increasing demand we aim to significantly increase this capacity by running 36 trains per hour in 2016. We will also run all peak time trains the full length of the line up to Walthamstow Central from Brixton.
Work required
The current layout and aged condition of the track outside Walthamstow Central limits the frequency of trains we can run on this section of the line, so in order to deliver a more frequent service we need to replace the concrete slabs forming the track-bed and track ironwork that forms the crossover outside of Walthamstow Central. This crossover allows northbound trains terminating at Walthamstow Central to cross to the southbound line for their return journey.
Due to the challenges involved in installing heavy units in a relatively confined space and the need for significant testing prior to bringing the track into use, it is not possible to conduct these works during weekends or overnight. We plan to undertake these works between 8 and 30 August 2015. Therefore there will be no Victoria line trains between Seven Sisters and Walthamstow Central during this period.
We do understand and apologise for the inconvenience this will cause customers; however, this work is essential to enable the increased train service. We have chosen to do the work in August in order to minimise customer disruption, as demand during this period is typically lower than the average.
Alternate travel options
To reduce disruption for our customers we will:
· Run rail replacement buses calling at all stations between Walthamstow Central and Seven Sisters Tube stations
· Run rail replacement buses non-stop between Walthamstow Central and Stratford / Stratford International stations.
· Supplement existing bus routes with an additional service between Chingford Mount and Seven Sisters, calling at Blackhorse Road and Tottenham Hale
Existing train services will provide alternative options including the line between Walthamstow Central and Liverpool Street, which will be operated by London Overground from May 2015.
Worksites in Walthamstow
The work itself will mostly take place inside the tunnel, although we will need to use the car park by Walthamstow Central station to access a shaft for the delivery of materials. We will endeavour to keep noise to a minimum, and we will ensure that residents close to the site are informed in advance of the work starting.
We also need to upgrade a Victoria line ventilation shaft located on Pretoria Avenue to enable the higher frequency service in 2016. This isn’t expected to be particularly disruptive to local residents and we would put measures in place to ensure any inconvenience is kept to a minimum. We will engage with the local community in advance of that starting which is expected to be from spring this year.
Customer information
To publicise these works we will use targeted emails, social media, notices and announcements in stations, and information online and in the press well in advance of the work to enable our customers to plan ahead. We will also meet customers at the disrupted stations to provide further information.
There is likely to be some impact on the frequency of trains on the rest of the line during the work; we are still working through how many trains we will be able to operate and will come back to you with this detail once finalised.
Once the work is complete and the new timetable comes into force in spring 2016, customers across the entire line will be able to take advantage of more trains per hour at peak times than ever before.
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I wonder what the response will be re the GOBLIN line. Any chance of a few weeks of reinforced service ( divert freight trains?) or is that too much joined -up wrting to ask and will they just shut Blackhorse Rd completely?