Passengers on the London Underground are set for a weekend of significant disruption later this month, as a key section of the Central line shuts down for major upgrade works.
Dates and Details of the Closure
The Central line will see no service between Bethnal Green and both Epping and Hainault on Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February. The Saturday Night Tube service will also be suspended on the eastbound route from Liverpool Street.
This temporary shutdown is necessary to allow engineers to lift a pre-fabricated overbridge and associated steelwork into place at Leyton station using a crane. The project, which received government approval and funding in 2023, represents a major investment in the station's future.
A £22.7m Investment in Accessibility
The works are a core part of the Leyton station upgrade, funded by a £13.7m grant from the government's Levelling Up Fund and a further £9m contribution from developers.
Plans for the transformed station include:
- A brand new, additional ticket hall.
- Two new staircases.
- The installation of two new lifts.
This crucial addition will make Leyton station fully step-free and accessible for the first time in its history. The entire upgrade project is scheduled for completion by mid-2027.
Part of a Broader Central Line Overhaul
The station work coincides with other essential maintenance during the closure window. Five kilometres of rail grinding will be carried out between Leytonstone and Woodford via the Hainault Loop, alongside tamping work at points and crossings.
This activity falls under the wider Central Line Improvement Programme (CLIP), described by Transport for London (TfL) as the most significant overhaul in the line's history. The CLIP scheme, which involves refurbishing ageing trains and improving track infrastructure, is expected to continue until 2029.
The announcement of this closure follows recent criticism aimed at TfL regarding a sharp increase in graffiti on Tube carriages. In response, TfL has announced a new 24/7 graffiti taskforce as part of a revised cleaning contract set to begin in April.
Future Disruption for Central Line Riders
Passengers should note further planned closures on the Central line in the coming months:
- Saturday, 14 February and Sunday, 15 February: No service between White City and both West Ruislip and Ealing Broadway for rail grinding and tamping.
- Friday, 15 May to Sunday, 17 May: Closure between Marble Arch and Leytonstone for further rail grinding works.
Commuters are strongly advised to check the TfL website and plan their journeys ahead of time to avoid inconvenience during these essential upgrade periods.
