Fleur Anderson Learns About Planned Improvements to District Line

Joins tube executives to mark 160 years of London Underground

Fleur Anderson MP (centre) with tube executives and members of the Southfields Grid Residents Association

August 18, 2023

Putney MP Fleur Anderson has joined the celebrations for 160 years of London Underground with a visit to Southfields station which is a mere 134 years old.

To mark the occasion, Fleur Anderson MP met with Chris Hobden, Four Lines Modernisation Project Director, Vicky Kafetzi, Head of Corporate Desk, Michael Newell, Government Relations Assistant and Stewart Stennett, Customer Service Manager to discuss the modernisation of the District line. Members of Southfields Grid Residents Association also came along and asked questions about improvements needed along the District Line. They were told about changes planned to increase to frequency and reliability of the local service.

The Four Lines Modernisation Project is the biggest train modernisation project in the world and is transforming the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines. The new technology will reduce journey times and make it possible for more trains to run. 192 modern, air-conditioned, walk-through S-stock trains now run across the Circle, Hammersmith & City, District and Metropolitan lines. Progress has also been made on installing a new signalling and control system.

Improvements are being made in stages. They are working to change signalling at Southfields, however TfL are unable to give an exact time frame as District and Circle line infrastructure is some of the oldest in the tube system. They estimate it will take 12-18 months to see any noticeable uptick in services.

The Putney MP was taken into the control room, learnt about how the station is kept safe during Wimbledon tennis and during football matches. She also learnt how announcements are made and the changes in staffing relating to footfall in the station at peak and off-peak times.

She also raised concerns of residents on Crowthorne Close about noise and privacy, after a solid fence was replaced with a fence that is see through and not sound proofed.

Ms Anderson said, “The Tube is a true London icon, connecting people across the capital and transporting tourists and commuters across the city. The Tube has evolved so much over the last 160 years, and it was great to learn about the very large scale modernisation project which will mean a more frequent and reliable service.

“There have already been improvements in the signalling issues which used to mean frequent delays, and more frequent trains and better platform signage will be brought in over the next 18 months.

“I use public transport and Southfields tube station so often; but it was great to see how the tube runs, to see the scale if the modernisation project and work that staff put in to ensure safety if passengers.”

She will also continue to campaign for a lift at East Putney station.

Improvements on the four lines will take time as they want to improve the existing infrastructure rather than putting a new system in to reduce commuter inconvenience. Chris Hobden, Four Lines Modernisation Project Director has called this the ‘largest most complex signalling system’.

The project has implemented:

• New trains that are air-conditioned and more spacious.

• A new track and drainage system to reduce likelihood of flooding during bad weather to reduce journey delays due to signal failures and it will mean fewer closures for maintenance and repair work.

• A new signalling system- this work began in 2016 and will allow for trains to run closer together so there is a more frequent service and shorted waiting times.