Jubilee line closures to go on next year

Weekend shutdowns on the Jubilee line are expected to continue into next year, the Standard has learned.

They will hit passengers trying to reach the O2 Arena, where several major concerts have already been badly affected.

The £500 million upgrade of the line also causes problems for Wembley Arena, with no Tube services last Sunday for a concert by comedian Michael McIntyre.

Brent East Lib-Dem MP Sarah Teather has demanded refunds for season ticket holders.

Maintenance firm Tube Lines is seeking six more closures this year to complete the work — the line has been shut in part or in full every weekend this year — but the Standard understands that more demands are likely in the new year.

Drivers have also threatened to boycott training for new signalling equipment because of safety concerns.

Mayor Boris Johnson publicly attacked Tube Lines after it emerged the work would not be completed by the contract deadline of 31 December.

He has withheld permission for some of the extra closures until LU receives an independent report on the upgrade programme.

Tube Lines had originally promised the work would be complete by 31 March this year.

LU is having to change signal information control boards in the tunnels after drivers claimed they could not see them properly.

The new signalling does not use red and green lights. Instead, drivers receive information from matrix boards along the track. Trains are virtually automatic, "reading" signals and keeping a safe distance from others via on-board computer.

Steve Grant, London organiser for drivers' union Aslef, said: "LU should not be surprised if drivers were not prepared to work without proper training."

LU said: "Safety is LU's top priority and we have fully consulted with all the unions."