The Northern Line on the London underground is now fully operational after being partially closed since January 15. The reopening was a day ahead of schedule, after opening on May 15, instead of May 16.
This will come as welcome news to commuters, residents and tourists alike, who have had to deal with diversions for exactly four months.
Why was the Bank branch closed?
The line was closed to work on improvements and modernisations on the line. These include:
- Tunnelling a new Northern Line.
- Expanding the Southbound platform.
- A new passenger concourse.
- Building a new entrance at Cannon Street.
- Step-free access to the Northern line and improved step-free access to the DLR platforms.
Transport For London’s (TFL) chief capital officer, Stuart Harvey, said Bank station’s ‘labyrinthian layout’ could be ‘confusing and time-consuming to navigate’. He added that the upgrades will ‘totally transform customer journeys through the station’.
How did the closure affect commuters?
During the closure, passengers were not able to travel between Kennington and Moorgate. The closure cut London Bridge station from the Northern Line, as well as stations such as Elephant & Castle and Moorgate.
TFL set up a temporary bus service during the four months between Kennington and Moorgate. But, as we know with such things, that can add significant time to people’s journey.
Stuart Harvey thanked commuters in a statement: ‘I’d like to thank our customers for their patience during this closure.’
‘Northern line customers now have a new, wider southbound platform and spacious customer concourse.’
‘The countdown is on for completing the rest of this major upgrade which is one of the largest and most complicated subterranean railway complexes in the world.’
It may have taken a while, but at least the line is now running normally once more, meaning the full wonders of London can, once again, be explored as easily as possible.