Subterranean rush hour blues: Signal failures cause Tube chaos

Commuters endured “dangerous overcrowding” on the Tube this morning

Thousands of commuters suffered appalling congestion on the Underground this morning, as signal failures rendered the Central, Piccadilly and District lines practically unusable.

As heavy rain lashed the capital during the morning rush hour, the public transport system struggled to accommodate the broiling sea of wet humans.

Transport for London said there were “severe delays” to all destinations on the Central Line, due to signal failures, while passengers experienced similar conditions on the Piccadilly and District lines, also due to signal failures.

The delights of the metropolitan commute – Victoria underground #TFL #districtline pic.twitter.com/Uw64NmSr4B

— Lucy Green (@Greenietweets) January 8, 2015

Meanwhile other Tube lines also saw horrendous overcrowding as passengers used alternative routes.

Euston, Victoria line….. Bonkers. pic.twitter.com/PxzsPAG16j

— Londonneur (@Londonneur) January 8, 2015

It is the third day of chaos for many, as on-going disruption at London Bridge Station has wreaked havoc on the transport system.

Police were called to control crowds on Monday after would-be commuters had to jump barriers to avoid being crushed. On Tuesday, order was better maintained, but passengers had to navigate crows up to 50 people deep to reach ticket barriers.

According to City AM, Mayor Boris Johnson will meet with bosses at Network Rail to find a solution to the problem.

Yesterday a spokesman for Johnson said: “The mayor shares the frustration of commuters and sympathises with them over the enormous inconvenience they’ve endured. He will be raising the recent disruption at London Bridge and indeed the chaotic scenes at Finsbury Park over Christmas with Network Rail when he meets with them.

“The mayor wants to hear what went wrong, and to understand what lessons can be learned and how the situation can be better managed going forward.”