Following extensive lobbying from local Conservative MP, Greg Hands, Transport for London are set to announce that there will be extra capacity on the Wimbledon Branch of the District Line by June 2006.

Along with fellow Conservative MPs Justine Greening (Putney) and Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon), Greg has been lobbying London Underground bosses for some time to combat overcrowding on the Wimbledon Branch of the District Line.

Transport for London’s own figures reveal that at peak hours the Wimbledon Branch operates at 92% of total capacity. Transport for London’s plan which has been revealed to Greg, pledges two extra rush hour trains to be put into service on the branch.

This will increase peak hours capacity from approximately 10,500 to 12,200 passengers.

The most recent census showed Hammersmith & Fulham to have the highest per population tube usage rate in London, with thousands of local residents using the District Line every day. Over recent years the service has steadily become more uncomfortable for commuters as more and more people try to get onto the trains.

Commenting, Greg said: “I am delighted that Transport for London and the London Underground have decided to increase capacity and this will come as welcome relief to the long suffering users of the Wimbledon District Line.

“It is unfortunate that these changes will not be coming into force until next June, however this is better than no change at all. I will continue to monitor the situation and make further representations if the service gets much worse ahead of the changes coming into force.”

July 12, 2005