Tube commuters will benefit from an increase in capacity on the Wimbledon branch of the District Line later this year.

From December, an extra five trains will run from Wimbledon into central London during weekday morning peak hours, increasing services going from Wimbledon station and through Wimbledon Park, Southfields, East Putney and Putney Bridge.

This will be achieved by withdrawing the weekday shuttle service between Kensington Olympia and High Street Kensington as these trains carry an average of just 26 passengers and restrict services on other parts of the line.

The change will also help to reduce bottlenecks at Earl’s Court Station, which will improve the line’s service resilience and ability to recover from delays.

Future improvements to District Line services include new air-conditioned trains being introduced in 2013 and a new signalling system installed by 2018.