The Central Line faced significant disruption today after being suspended at Chancery Lane Underground Station due to a casualty on the tracks. The incident caused severe delays and chaos for commuters during a particularly busy day for Transport for London (TfL).
Incident Details and Response
Emergency services, including the British Transport Police (BTP) and London Ambulance Service (LAS), were called to the scene at around 9:38 am after reports of a person on the tracks. The specific location of the incident remains unclear, and no further details about the casualty have been released.
The line was shut down between White City and Leytonstone, and severe delays were reported on the rest of the line. Several stations, including Chancery Lane, were closed temporarily due to the incident. The disruption also affected other lines, with District, DLR, and Waterloo & City lines experiencing closures due to planned works.
TfL Travel Disruption
Commuters faced widespread issues as the incident coincided with the London Landmarks Half Marathon, leading to road closures and increased pressure on public transport. TfL advised passengers to use alternative routes, and tickets were accepted on:
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Buses
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Liberty Line
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Elizabeth Line
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Chiltern Railways
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Greater Anglia
By 11:50 am, the Central Line had reopened, but severe delays continued to affect the entire route. Passengers reported long waiting times and crowded platforms. By 2:08 pm, disruption began to ease, with delays between North Acton and West Ruislip reducing to a more manageable level.
Normal Service Resumes
After hours of disruption, TfL confirmed that normal service had resumed on the Central Line by 5:01 pm. However, minor delays persisted throughout the evening as the network recovered from the earlier closure.
Passenger Reactions
Many commuters took to social media to express their frustration over the lack of clear communication and extended waiting times. One commuter tweeted:
“Absolute chaos on the Central Line today. Stuck at White City for over an hour with no updates. Hope everyone is safe.”
Another commented:
“TfL really needs to improve its handling of incidents like this. People were left stranded with no information.”
Ongoing Investigation
The British Transport Police confirmed that an investigation is underway, but no further details about the casualty or circumstances have been provided. The incident is not believed to be suspicious.
Advice to Commuters
TfL urged passengers to check their journey before setting off and allow extra time for travel. Real-time updates are available on the TfL website and TfL Go app.
As of now, the Central Line is fully operational, but commuters are advised to remain vigilant and check for any further disruptions before travelling
