“Leaf Fall Disrupts Piccadilly Line: Trains Damaged”
Train services on the Piccadilly line have been disrupted this autumn due to significant leaf fall. This natural occurrence has caused damage to the 50-year-old trains, leading to partial shutdowns.
Disruption on the Piccadilly Line
No trains are operational between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge, forcing passengers to take the Metropolitan line to reach their destinations. Similar disruptions happened last year, where this stretch was closed for two-and-a-half months, from mid-November to late January, due to the same issue.
Causes of Damage
- Leaf fall creates “challenging” conditions on the tracks.
- Storms resulted in a significant accumulation of leaves.
- Mulch formed on the tracks, complicating clearance efforts.
- Consequent ‘wheel flats’ damage occurred as brakes were applied on sliding wheels.
The current situation follows Storm Benjamin, which has impacted transport in London and the South East. Wind gusts are expected to reach 48 mph, further complicating travel.
Previous Measures and Future Plans
Transport for London (TfL) had previously implemented a “robust action plan” aimed at limiting the effects of leaf fall. Measures included:
- Clearing vegetation along the tracks.
- Deploying specialist engineering trains in affected areas.
The Piccadilly line is notably vulnerable to disruptions from leaf fall, particularly between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge. While a new fleet of trains was scheduled for introduction by late 2025, this has now been pushed back to 2026.
TfL has indicated that newer trains on other lines have fared better in similar conditions, suggesting that the upcoming fleet for the Piccadilly line may be less susceptible to leaf fall disruptions.
