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13/10/2005
Northern Line tube line shut due to brake failure
Passengers who use the Northern Line tube service face major disruptions today after the service was suspended due to safety concerns.
Yesterday, unions called for the line to be closed when a London Underground (LU) train which passed a signal at red experienced an emergency braking system failure.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union called for the withdrawal of all Northern Line rolling stock following the failure of the emergency braking system even though recent modifications had been carried out which were supposed to remedy the problem.
According to the RMT, the failure which occurred at Mill Hill East on Wednesday morning follows four other incidents in recent weeks.
RMT Secretary Bob Crow said that the situation now demanded the "withdrawal of Northern Line stock in order to secure the safety of passengers and staff".
He said: “Our members have the legal right to refuse to undertake duties that would put themselves or the travelling public in danger and RMT will give complete support to any driver who refuses to move a Northern Line train on safety grounds."
Drivers' union Aslef said four drivers had refused to operate trains on the Northern Line and pledged to support any members withdrawing labour on safety grounds. Aslef said it would ballot members if drivers were sent home without pay.
Today, LU has advised passengers to avoid the Northern Line and seek alternative Tube, bus and rail routes. LU tickets will be accepted on all alternative services.
A spokesperson for LU said: "We are also providing a number of alternative bus services, picking up at stations served only by the Northern line, particularly in North London, to link with other Tube lines.
"LU apologises to passengers for this disruption to service. We are working hard to return a service on the Northern line as soon as possible."
(SP/KMcA)
Yesterday, unions called for the line to be closed when a London Underground (LU) train which passed a signal at red experienced an emergency braking system failure.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union called for the withdrawal of all Northern Line rolling stock following the failure of the emergency braking system even though recent modifications had been carried out which were supposed to remedy the problem.
According to the RMT, the failure which occurred at Mill Hill East on Wednesday morning follows four other incidents in recent weeks.
RMT Secretary Bob Crow said that the situation now demanded the "withdrawal of Northern Line stock in order to secure the safety of passengers and staff".
He said: “Our members have the legal right to refuse to undertake duties that would put themselves or the travelling public in danger and RMT will give complete support to any driver who refuses to move a Northern Line train on safety grounds."
Drivers' union Aslef said four drivers had refused to operate trains on the Northern Line and pledged to support any members withdrawing labour on safety grounds. Aslef said it would ballot members if drivers were sent home without pay.
Today, LU has advised passengers to avoid the Northern Line and seek alternative Tube, bus and rail routes. LU tickets will be accepted on all alternative services.
A spokesperson for LU said: "We are also providing a number of alternative bus services, picking up at stations served only by the Northern line, particularly in North London, to link with other Tube lines.
"LU apologises to passengers for this disruption to service. We are working hard to return a service on the Northern line as soon as possible."
(SP/KMcA)
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14 November 2003
Two Tube lines disrupted by strike action
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Two Tube lines disrupted by strike action
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02 March 2011
Green Light For New Trains Gives Boost
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy start with patchy mainly light rain, but becoming brighter through the day as the rain turns more showery, the best of any sunnier spells in the south. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:A few bright spells at first and any showers gradually dying out. Low cloud and mist or drizzle over northern coastal parts will spread south to most areas overnight. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
