Passengers across London are being urged to plan their journeys carefully as Transport for London (TfL) confirms a significant programme of engineering works that will shut down multiple lines over the Christmas weekend.
Major Network Disruptions from Boxing Day
The reduced service across the TfL network will cause widespread disruption from Boxing Day, Friday 26 December, until Sunday 28 December. Four London Overground lines – the Liberty, Lioness, Suffragette, and Weaver lines – will be entirely shut on Boxing Day. While most Overground services resume for the weekend, several partial closures will remain in force.
On the London Underground, the Piccadilly line between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge will close a day earlier, from Christmas Eve (Thursday 24 December), and will not reopen until Sunday 4 January. TfL attributes this extended closure to significant damage caused by leaf fall on this above-ground section, which has affected trains.
Line-by-Line Breakdown of Closures
The following TfL services will face closures or reduced services:
- Metropolitan line: Closed between Rickmansworth and Amersham/Chesham on Friday 26 December.
- DLR: Closed between Tower Gateway and Shadwell on Friday 26 December.
- Elizabeth line: No service on Boxing Day. A reduced service will run between Liverpool Street and Stratford from Saturday 27 December to Thursday 1 January, and between West Drayton and Maidenhead from 27 to 29 December.
- Mildmay line (Overground): Closed between Stratford and Richmond/Shepherd’s Bush on 26 December. From 27 December to 4 January, no trains between Camden Road and Richmond/Shepherd’s Bush.
- Weaver line (Overground): Entirely shut on 26 December. Closed between Liverpool Street and London Fields from 27 December to 1 January, with a reduced service elsewhere.
- Windrush line (Overground): Multiple closures on 26 December, including between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction/New Cross, and Sydenham to Crystal Palace. The Night Overground from Highbury & Islington to New Cross Gate is cancelled on 26 December. The Surrey Quays to Clapham Junction section remains shut from 27 to 31 December.
Plan Ahead for Post-Christmas Travel
With such extensive engineering works taking place across the network between Christmas and New Year, TfL is strongly advising travellers to check their journey details before setting out. The combination of planned upgrades and seasonal weather-related repairs means services will be severely limited on key routes.
The disruptions highlight the critical maintenance required to keep London's vast transport system running, but they will undoubtedly complicate travel plans for many during the festive period. Commuters and visitors are encouraged to allow extra time and consider alternative routes where possible.
