Tube threat to business

Published: 19 March 2010

• THE Northern Line clearly needs upgrading but Tube Lines current proposals for 65 weekend closures and 16 months of early weeknight closures are an absolute fiasco that will cause massive disruption and suffering to residents and businesses throughout Islington. 

Thousands rely on the Northern Line every day. At a time when we’re already being hit with London Overground closures and continued weekend closures on the Victoria Line there’ll only be the Piccadilly Line running to full capacity.  

For local businesses who rely heavily on the weekend and evening economy these crazy proposals come as a real blow.   

We’ve been working hard as a council to support businesses through these difficult economic times and promote Islington nationally and internationally as a vibrant, thriving shopping and socialising destination.  

Closures on Saturday, the busiest shopping day of the week, and early evening closures will inevitably hit hard. I’d personally prefer to see the line shut completely for a short period of time rather than this shambolic, piecemeal approach that maximises disruption for all.      

Tube Lines has lots of questions to answer and I urge it to take up our invitation to come to Islington to explain itself.  

We need assurances it will look again at these excessive proposals and ensure we get the upgrades the Northern Line so desperately needs with the minimum disruption to all.    
Cllr Terry Stacy 
Lib Dem leader, Islington Council