SERVICES on the Uxbridge branch of the Underground have resumed following a 23-day block closure, bringing relief to commuters.

Work to improve reliability of the service and to renew old infrastructure on the branch, which is served by both the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines, was completed on Monday morning on time and on budget.

Over the 23 days, crews replaced six kilometres of track, 10,000 new sleepers and 5,000 conductors.

Two sets of points were installed at Harrow-on-the-Hill, three bridges were water-proofed, drainage work - started earlier this year – was completed, a new retaining wall built at Uxbridge and points upgraded at Uxbridge.

Other work included 6K of rail grinding (to help prevent broken rails) and track renewal in the sidings at Uxbridge.

Stuart Burnett, LU’s Head of Strategy and Planning, said: "Carrying out a block closure enabled us to complete the work in just over three weeks, as opposed to 14 weekends, which meant we didn’t lose time to set-up and hand-back of works.”

The work was part of London Underground’s £10bn programme of continuous improvement.