Waterloo and City line to reopen as early as May, London Underground chief says
Transport for London (TfL) is planning to reopen the Waterloo and City Tube line in May or June, a senior executive confirmed this morning.
The line – London’s second-most intensively used after the Victoria line – has been closed since lockdown began a year ago.
Drivers from the line have been working on the Central line instead, which TfL has been prioritising over the lockdown period.
But speaking at TfL’s board meeting this morning, London Underground managing director Andy Lord confirmed the network was planning on reopening the line in the next couple of months.
“We want to be there to support the reopening of the City”, he said.
Canada’s policy chair Catherine McGuinness welcomed the move, saying:
“It is very positive news that TfL have committed to reopening the Waterloo and City line in the next few months. This will be vital to support the reopening of the City and help workers to return once it is safe to do so.
“The pandemic, and the restrictions on travel and working from the office in particular, have had a significant impact upon TfL and its financial sustainability.
Lord added that if there was a sudden surge in demand the Waterloo and City line could be opened sooner, but only at the detriment of Central line services.
Also this morning TfL commissioner Andy Byford confirmed that the operator has missed its self-appointed deadline of 16 March to agree a new funding deal with the government.
He said that it was looking like negotiations “would go right down to the wire”, as they did last May and in October.
TfL is hoping to agree a multi-year deal with the Department for Transport in order to stabilise its devastated finances after the pandemic.
McGuinness backed a long-term deal, saying: “The City Corporation has previously called for a secure, long term funding settlement for TfL. We once again reiterate our support for a swift outcome to the ongoing negotiations and call on all parties to agree a sustainable funding package.
“TfL’s services will be critical in enabling those who work in the City, and London’s wider central activities zone, to return to their normal lives and for businesses to have the security to reopen.
“Now that we have a roadmap in place for a safe reopening of our country over the coming months, it is vital that we retain a financially secure public transport network. It will play a central role in ensuring that London has a successful and sustainable economic recovery from the pandemic.”