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Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 27 November 2008

Punctuality goes off the rails

TfL chiefs call for time to iron out ‘teething problems’ on revamped line

PUNCTUALITY on the North London line is worse than ever, regular users say.
Commuters have said they think there has been a rise in train delays and cancellations since the line reopened last Monday.
Transport for London (TfL) have refused to release punctuality figures until next month.
A spokesman acknowledged customers may have experienced an unreliable service during the line’s “settling in period”, but insisted the service should be allowed time to get over any teething problems.
“As when any major project is completed, a settling in period is required,” the spokesman said.
The North London line was closed between September and November for Network Rail to increase the size of the tunnel at Hampstead Heath station, to allow for larger freight trains.
During its closure many commuters used a line that ran through the abandoned Primrose Hill station.
Andrew Bosi, chairman of the Friends of Capital Transport Campaign, said the experience had showed passengers how a more punctual service should work.
“The popularity of the Primrose Hill route certainly emphasised the case for reopening it on a permanent basis,” he said.
Transport minister Geoff Hoon said on Tuesday that £54million would be pumped into the North London line to improve freight transport, which will mean further closures in the next two years.
A Network Rail press officer confirmed last night (Wednesday) that between April 2009 and January 2010 “major upgrade work” will be carried out on the line, leading to Sunday closures.
Richard Pout, secretary of the North London Line and Barking-Gospel Oak Line Users Group, described the current service as “erratic” and warned: “It isn’t good enough – sadly things may get worse before they get better.”
The line is also due to close for four months between January and April of 2010 to allow an additional two tracks to be rebuilt in Camden Road.
Further work is scheduled to take place after the Olympics – which could mean misery on the tracks for more than six years.
Mr Pout, whose group represents hundreds of users, has called on TfL and Network Rail to work together to reopen Primrose Hill station.
He said: “Part of this project should also see the reopening of the Primrose Hill route.
“Of course users would like to see that – the sooner the better.”

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