500 trapped on the new JLE after train passes red signal

PASSENGERS on the new Jubilee Line Extension were trapped for more than an hour after their Tube train passed a red danger signal.

There were more than 500 people on the packed eastbound train last night when it slammed on its automatic brakes as it was leaving Westminster Station - on which LU is due to decide a delayed opening date this week.

Ambulances waited outside the station as commuters were kept underground before the train was diverted to Waterloo.

One passenger said: "It was chaos. The emergency services were called because people were getting so hot being stuck on the train."

London Transport spokesman Robin Pulford said: "This Tube stopped in the tunnel because everything is designed to be failsafe. It was an awkward SPAD, meaning signal passed at danger, as the station has not opened yet.

"The only way to extricate people was to secure the track and move it with hand signalling to Waterloo. Fortunately no one was hurt and the ambulances weren't needed.

"There may have been danger, it may have been due to an error or signal failure. It may take some time to investigate the cause. If a train passes a red light on the underground it slams on its brakes and comes to a halt. In this case no one showed any distress."

The incident happened just before 7pm last night with passengers having to wait more than an hour before they were allowed off the train.

When a train goes through a red signal, estimated to happen six times a week on average according to Mr Pulford, its driver is interviewed to determine the cause.

Last week the Evening Standard exposed statistics, obtained by Liberal Democrat spokesman for London Transport Tom Brake, showing that since January last year there have been 5,544 delays of 15 minutes or more.

The statistics also showed there were 900 delays of 15 minutes or more caused by signal failure, 519 by absent staff, 481 through train defects, 359 because for some reason, would not move forward and 341 caused by fire alerts.

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