Part of the Central line has been shut down this afternoon after a casualty was reported on the tracks, causing major disruption for Tube passengers across the capital.
The incident was first reported shortly before 3.40pm BST on Tuesday, September 29. Transport for London (TfL) has part-suspended services between Northolt and West Ruislip, at the far western end of the line, while emergency services respond.
Minor delays are also affecting the rest of the line — between North Acton and Ealing Broadway/Northolt in the west, and between Leytonstone and Epping/Hainault in the east.
The Central line is one of the busiest on the Underground, running from West Ruislip in the west to Epping in the east via central London stations including Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Bank and Liverpool Street. Any closure, even on one section, quickly ripples across the whole route.
TfL has confirmed that Tube tickets are being accepted on London Buses for the duration of the disruption, giving affected passengers an alternative way to complete their journeys.
This is a developing story — check back for updates.
What this means for your evening commute
The suspension could hardly have come at a worse time, with the evening rush hour fast approaching and thousands of commuters preparing to travel home across west and east London.
Passengers who would normally use the closed section — taking in South Ruislip, Ruislip Gardens and West Ruislip — are advised to find another route now rather than wait in the hope of a quick reopening. TfL has not said when services are expected to resume, and disruption is likely to continue into the evening peak.
With Tube tickets valid on London Buses, buses are likely to be the most practical alternative in the affected area, though services are expected to be busier than usual. Commuters heading into central London from the west may also be able to use the Elizabeth line or District line from Ealing Broadway, but those routes are likely to be busier too.
Commuters are urged to check TfL’s live service updates before setting off, allow plenty of extra time for their journeys, and consider travelling outside the busiest hours or working from home where possible.
Passengers using the rest of the Central line should also allow extra time. Trains are likely to be busier than usual as passengers from the suspended section seek other ways to travel.
Second Tube disruption of the day
The Central line closure is the second serious Tube disruption to hit the capital today. The Victoria line is suffering severe delays across its entire route after infrastructure damage at Brixton station, heaping further misery on commuters.
With two of the Underground’s busiest lines disrupted at the same time, pressure on connecting Tube lines, the Overground and the bus network is expected to be significant through the evening rush hour.
It has been a difficult few days for Tube passengers. Ladbroke Grove station was briefly closed at the weekend after a garage fire broke out nearby, while planned engineering works shut parts of the District, DLR, Piccadilly and Overground lines over the same period.
Emergency response
Emergency services are responding to the incident. A casualty on the tracks means someone may have been seriously hurt or killed, and no further details about the person involved have been released. Commuters are asked not to speculate and to respect the privacy of those affected.
Anyone who has been affected by the incident, or by what they have seen or heard, can contact Samaritans free of charge at any time on 116 123.
TfL is advising all Central line passengers to check before they travel. This is a developing story — check back for updates.
