Signal failures over the last three years have led to hundreds more Tube delays than occurred a decade ago, according to new figures.

Commuters were forced to contend with 2,791 signal delays of over two minutes in the year leading up to 2006, compared with just 2,302 delays in 1997.

And on the Northern Line, the deterioration in service was even more pronounced with 539 delays from 2005 to 2006 compared with the 1997 figure of 298.

The increase in delays comes despite major fare increases.

The statistics were no surprise to users of the Northern line.

Annalisa Brooker, 25, of Balham in south London, said: "It took me an hour-and-a-quarter to get to work in Old Street recently. There are frequent delays when the train stops in the tunnel. When you are in an overcrowded carriage with no chance of getting a seat, that is no fun."

Raissa Kasolow, 24, of Elmbourne Road in Tooting, south London, said: "I think it is shocking. This is supposed to be the capital of a major European country.

"In many other European cities, you can travel for substantially less and still get a much better service. I do not understand why they cannot get it together."

However, the new figures revealed some signs of improvement for London's beleaguered Tube network with track failures accounting for far fewer problems than 10 years ago.

A spokesman for Transport for London said: "TfL is investing £10billion to improve transport in London, more than half of that in the Tube, to reverse decades of under investment."

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