· 14,000 people say Yes in consultation
· Five more rush-hour trains through Fulham from December
Greg Hands M.P. has declared victory for users of the Wimbledon branch of the District Line, following this week’s announcement by London Underground.
An incredible 18,000 people responded to this summer’s consultation. Almost eighty per cent of passengers were in favour of the proposed changes, which will see five additional trains run on the Wimbledon branch during the morning peak. The new timetable will be introduced in December 2011.
The timetable will reduce delays and provide capacity for an additional 4,000 passengers every weekday morning on the busy Wimbledon branch, which carries nearly 30 per cent of District line passengers. In the evening, there will be further capacity for more than 800 people on services to Ealing Broadway, and an enhanced late evening service on the Wimbledon branch with six trains per hour until 23:30.
London Underground described support for the changes as “overwhelming”.
The weekday Olympia District Line service will be withdrawn, but it will continue to operate at weekends, and special services will serve major weekday events at the Olympia exhibition centre.
Mike Brown, LU's Managing Director, said: “There was an overwhelming response to the consultation and we would like to thank everyone who took part.
“For District line customers the introduction of the new timetable will reduce delays across the whole line and, in particular, benefit the 150,000 passengers who pass through Earl's Court each day.”
Greg Hands M.P. said: “This is fantastic news for everyone in Fulham and many stops beyond. I have been campaigning for more trains on the Wimbledon branch for years.
“Thanks to each and every one of you who responded this summer, the morning journey into work is about to get a lot more bearable. It’s a victory for ordinary passengers.
“I’m delighted that constituents are getting this early Christmas present."