Victoria Line suspended after concrete poured into control room

So it’s true. Transport for London has confirmed the rumour that the Victoria Line is down because the control room has been filled with fast-setting concrete.

Travellers heard that “flooding” caused TfL to close the line – and while that wasn’t technically a lie – staff have finally admitted that liquid concrete, not water, has caused the problem.

Engineers allegedly poured concrete into the signalling equipment room, and it’s thought to be around a metre deep.

Initial reports were unconfirmed for some time but eventually TfL staff were forced to confirm the rumours (sort of) admitting there was “an issue with concrete”.

The Victoria Line Twitter account has gone into overdrive managing the rumours, leading to this delightful exchange.

@thegreatgonzowith a couple of chocolate digestives please

— TfL Victoria line (@victorialine) January 23, 2014

TfL said services are unlikely to return to normal today, which makes sense, but hopefully staff are acting fast.

Nigel Holness, London Underground’s operations director said: “This afternoon our contractors were working on the new station in an area next to the Victoria line signal control room. These works involved the use of water and cement which leaked into the room, damaging equipment. This has meant there are no signals working on the southern section of the line.

“The line is currently suspended between Warren Street and Brixton. Our engineers are working hard to resolve the situation as soon as possible to get services back up and running, but the line is expected to be affected for the remainder of the day while repairs are carried out.”

Let’s be honest, we do not envy the person who has the hard job of cleaning that up.