London Underground closures 2026: Northern line Bank branch, Barons Court and Cutty Sark DLR changes

Major London Underground and DLR engineering works will affect travel across the capital from 19 January to 15 June 2026, with a rolling programme of planned closures, reduced services and station changes confirmed by Transport for London (TfL).

Passengers can expect the most significant disruption on the Northern line Bank branch, where repeated late-evening closures are scheduled throughout the spring. On the District and Piccadilly lines, eastbound trains will not stop at Barons Court station for several months due to essential upgrade works. In south-east London, the long-running closure of Cutty Sark DLR station in Greenwich will continue, affecting commuters and tourists heading to one of the city’s busiest heritage districts.

The impact will be felt across multiple boroughs including Westminster, Camden, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich and Hammersmith & Fulham, with replacement bus services, revised timetables and altered step-free access arrangements introduced on affected routes.

This guide sets out exact closure dates, line-by-line changes, borough-specific impacts, alternative routes, accessibility advice and replacement bus options, helping Londoners and visitors plan ahead and avoid unnecessary delays. Information compiled by The WP Times editorial team using official TfL service notices, engineering schedules and journey-planning updates.

What is changing between 19.01.2026 and 15.06.2026

TfL has confirmed a structured programme of upgrade works designed to improve reliability and capacity on key parts of the network. The changes are planned rather than emergency measures, meaning alternative routes are available in advance.

The core elements of the programme are:

• Northern line evening shutdowns on the Bank branch
• Barons Court station eastbound suspension
• Cutty Sark DLR station closure
• Rolling weekend DLR closures with replacement buses

Northern line: exact closure details

Dates: from 19.01.2026 to 15.06.2026

Times:

• After 22:00, Monday to Thursday only
• Normal service operates before 22:00 and on Fridays, weekends and public holidays

Section affected

• Camden Town – Kennington (via Bank branch)

Stations without service after 22:00

• Camden Town
• Mornington Crescent
• Euston
• King’s Cross St Pancras
• Angel
• Old Street
• Moorgate
• Bank
• London Bridge
• Borough
• Elephant & Castle
• Kennington

Passengers will not be able to board or alight at these stations on the Bank branch after 22:00 on affected days.

Boroughs and districts most affected

• Camden
• Islington
• City of London
• Southwark
• Lambeth
• Shoreditch and Old Street corridor
• London Bridge business district
• King’s Cross transport hub

These areas include major employment centres and nightlife destinations, making the impact particularly noticeable in late evenings.

Practical alternatives for Northern line passengers

Although trains do not operate on this section after 22:00, several reliable alternatives are available.

Recommended Tube alternatives

Key replacement-style bus corridors

Most of these services operate at high frequency and continue into late evening hours, providing dependable connections.

Barons Court station: eastbound suspension

Dates

• From 19.01.2026 to 15.06.2026

What changes

• Eastbound Piccadilly and District line trains will not stop at Barons Court
• Westbound trains continue to call at the station as normal
• The station remains open for ticketing and interchange

Who is most affected

Passengers travelling towards central London from:

• Barons Court
• West Kensington
• Hammersmith
• Fulham
• Chiswick
• Acton Town (Piccadilly line users)

Practical alternatives for Barons Court

Nearest stations

• Use Hammersmith for eastbound boarding and interchanges
• Use Earl’s Court as a major interchange hub
• Short walks:
  • Barons Court → West Kensington: approximately 7 minutes
  • Barons Court → Hammersmith: approximately 12 minutes

Local bus connections

These buses provide frequent, direct links to stations where eastbound trains continue to stop.

Reason for the closure

TfL states the works include:

• Platform reconstruction
• Track and signalling upgrades
• Electrical improvements
• Accessibility enhancements

The duration reflects the complexity of the station modernisation.

Cutty Sark DLR: ongoing closure

Status during this period

• Cutty Sark station remains closed throughout the 19.01.2026–15.06.2026 timeframe

Areas affected

• Greenwich town centre
• Cutty Sark museum
• Greenwich Market
• National Maritime Museum
• Tourist and riverside destinations

Best alternatives

Walking time from Greenwich DLR to the Cutty Sark area: around 8–10 minutes.

DLR weekend closures

TfL confirms that upgrade work on the DLR will require occasional weekend closures between 19.01.2026 and 15.06.2026.

Typical pattern

• Closures start late Friday night
• Services resume early Monday morning
• Replacement buses operate where required

Examples of replacement routes

The exact branch affected changes by weekend, so passengers should always check the latest information before travelling.

Accessibility arrangements

TfL confirms that:

• All replacement buses meet accessibility standards
• Vehicles include ramps and wheelchair spaces
• Drivers receive disability awareness training
• Step-free alternatives are highlighted in Journey Planner

Passengers requiring assistance should use the accessibility filters in TfL Go or Journey Planner.

Summary of confirmed changes

Practical travel advice

• Check the TfL Go app before every journey
• Allow an additional 20–30 minutes for late-evening trips
• Avoid planning tight connections to airports after 22:00
• Consider walking between nearby stations where possible
• Use contactless payment on all replacement buses

Frequently asked questions about London Underground closures 2026

Do the Northern line Bank branch closures affect Fridays and weekends?
No. The scheduled closures apply only Monday to Thursday after 22:00. Normal service is expected on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays unless separately announced by TfL.

Can passengers still use Barons Court station during the works?
Yes – but with restrictions. Barons Court will remain open for westbound journeys only. Eastbound District and Piccadilly line trains will pass through the station without stopping.

Are Oyster, contactless and Travelcards valid on replacement buses?
Yes. All TfL tickets, Oyster pay-as-you-go, contactless payments and valid Travelcards are accepted on official replacement bus services operating during London Underground engineering works.

Can passengers claim compensation for planned TfL service changes?
Generally, no. Delay Repay compensation schemes apply to unplanned disruption only. Pre-announced engineering works, including scheduled Northern line and DLR closures, are not eligible for refunds.

While the works between 19.01.2026 and 15.06.2026 will cause inconvenience, TfL has designed structured alternatives for every affected route. Passengers who plan ahead and use official tools should be able to travel reliably across London during this period.

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