London Underground: Safety checks cause Metropolitan line disruption

TfL said a special timetable would run on the Metropolitan line until further notice

Urgent safety checks are being carried out on trains running on the Metropolitan line section of the Tube, Transport for London (TfL) has said.

TfL is warning of severe disruption as engineers check over the entire fleet of trains - which also run on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines.

The trains were only introduced in 2010, but TfL said a fault had been identified on some of their wheels.

As a result engineers are increasing the frequency of inspections.

"Safety is our top priority, and as a precautionary measure we have increased the rate of inspection of these trains to make detailed checks of the entire fleet," a TfL statement said.

Passengers are being advised to check before they travel.

Trains are operating between Baker Street and Amersham or Chesham every 30 minutes, between Watford and Baker Street every 15 minutes, and between Uxbridge and Aldgate every 15 minutes.

TfL said tickets are being accepted on London Buses and Chiltern Railways.

Analysis

By BBC London's transport correspondent Tom Edwards

According to a bulletin send to staff, Metropolitan line users will now face six weeks of a reduced service.

Somehow the equipment that turns the wheels for some of the trains has caused defects in the wheels.

One source told me the wheels were now slightly too small.

That will be rectified and there will no doubt be serious questions as to how it happened.

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