Don't let travel network go to sleep over the holiday

Transport bosses came under fire today for letting London's network "go to sleep" over Christmas as closures threaten to severely disrupt travel.

Campaigners want more done to keep the capital moving between Christmas and New Year, when large parts of the Tube and rail networks close completely, and some commuter lines remain out of action for up to 11 days.

There will be no Tubes, trains or buses on Christmas Day, with a much-reduced service returning on Boxing Day.

The Metropolitan and Jubilee line will be shut down on 26 December, with station closures on six other lines - including Northern, Central and Hammersmith & City.

A Saturday service will run on the Underground until New Year's Eve, when there is free travel throughout the night, although 15 stations will be closed or have limited opening.

Labour MP John Grogan, a leading transport campaigner, said: "Most of Europe's capital cities have some sort of transport on Christmas Day. We've got all the shops open and major events on Boxing Day so it really is odd that transport is so reduced. It's a long time for London to go to sleep."

Caroline Pidgeon, the Lib-Dem London Assembly transport spokeswoman, said: "TfL and the Mayor need to work together to ensure that our transport doesn't come to a halt. It's difficult because work needs to be done on the Tube and rail network but we need more help for businesses and shoppers in London."

Jo deBank, spokeswoman for London TravelWatch, said: "It's a lack of being joined up between the rail companies running our overland services. We're concerned passengers, especially those who aren't regular commuters, will be confused because so many lines are disrupted"

There are concerns that people living outside London will not be able to get to the sales, football matches or to see loved ones when key links are shut down. TfL and rail operators say the closures are critical to ensure "essential" maintenance is completed for the New Year.

Retailers are worried a lack a Tube service on Boxing Day will hurt the West End's already struggling shops.

Jace Tyrrell, of the New West End Company, said: "It's disappointing and there must be a better way to achieve a fully functioning transport system on Boxing Day."

But a Tfl spokeswoman said: "Maintenance work will be carried out on Christmas Day, which provides an invaluable opportunity to carry out tests of signalling and rolling stock on the one day of the year passenger services do not operate.

"TfL receives very few public requests to operate any public transport services on Christmas Day. London Underground runs services from 5am to 1am 364 days of the year and London Buses run services 24 hours a day, 364 days of the year.

"London Underground stopped running services on Christmas Day in the mid-Seventies due to minimal demand and high costs for running services.

"The Tube and London Buses join other transport networks and businesses around the country that do not operate on Christmas Day."

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