Following five weeks of regular delays on the Metropolitan Line, Transport for London (TfL) reassure the service will run well by 2023.

Since a new Metropolitan Line signalling system was installed between September 2 and September 6 as part of a modernisation programme, the Metropolitan Line has seen regular ‘severe’ or ‘minor’ delays to the journeys of commuters.

Despite the regular delays since its installation, a spokesperson for TfL states that “good progress” is being made with the adjustment to the new signalling system and promises that there will be “more frequent service” by 2023.

Sophie Bancroft, Head of Metropolitan Line Operations at TfL, said: “We’re sorry that recent service on the Metropolitan line hasn’t been what customers should expect.

“We have experienced operational incidents unrelated to the new signalling system, including trespassers on the tracks, which have caused this disruption.

“Good progress is being made with embedding the new signalling system, which will mean a more frequent service at peak times from 2023.”

This contrasts the initial response from another spokesperson for TfL, who during the installation, claimed that the severe delays would stop shortly after the system was first put in place between September 2 and September 6.

During the initial installation of the new system, a spokesperson for TfL said: “The issue is becoming less every day and should be resolved soon. This won’t be a recurring issue for the Met Line as we introduce new areas, and once we’ve worked through the next few days, it won’t come back up in this area.”

On Tuesday (October 8), the Metropolitan Line saw severe delays throughout the day following a morning signal failure at Edgware Road. Stations including Wembley Park and Harrow-on-the-hill were crowded in the morning as people waited sometimes over twenty minutes extra for their tubes to get to their destinations.

The day before, October 7, there were similar delays due to a faulty train at Baker Street. Complaints of delays – whether severe of minor – have been ongoing since the introduction of the new signalling system for the ‘Four Lines Modernisation’ programme, which aims to transform the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines by 2023.

Since then, some commuters were baffled with the lack of response about the continuous delays from the Metropolitan Line.

Kiran Sharma, from Harrow, expressed her anger with the delays. She said: “The past five weeks have been horrible. There have been delays, station closures and line suspensions every day, leaving commuters tired and bemused.

“I have sung the Met line’s praises over the years, but not anymore. People like me depend on this line because there aren’t many accessible stations in the outskirts. If the service stops working or is suspended it has a huge impact on our day.

“I have used this line for ten years. I know the service hasn’t always been smooth, but never has it been so bad that you have to allow an extra hour to get anywhere. But what if your meeting is at 7:30am? How early can you leave?”

Another commuter, with the Twitter handle @TheSquidBoyLike, contacted us and said: “During the first week when the signal upgrade was planned, I had to change my working hours. Since then, when it’s meant to have been sorted, every morning is potluck.

“If it still isn’t sorted, I’d rather know so I can make alternative arrangements in advance.”

With parts of the soon-to-be renovated TfL lines dating back to 1863, the modernisation of these four lines are expected to allow 192 modern air-conditioned walk-through S-stock trains, new tracks with improved drainage systems and a new signalling system which will eventually allow trains to be driven automatically.

The work to install new signalling and control system began in summer 2016 and it is promised that by 2023, there will be faster journeys with reduced waiting times, fewer delays and increased comfort during travels on these lines.