0:00:02 > 0:00:04Good morning! It's me again.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Below London's streets exists another world.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11The madness is my swimming pool.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14I'm at home in that kind of water - what can I say?
0:00:15 > 0:00:21Every day, 20,000 workers struggle to keep four million people on the move.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24What? There's a customer asleep on the platform?
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Yeah, get him on a train.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29It's not easy, when the Tube is undergoing the biggest upgrade in its history.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34You've got five minutes. I want this site cleared.
0:00:34 > 0:00:39Now, cameras will reveal an underground world we've never fully seen before.
0:00:39 > 0:00:4210,421 mobiles since April.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47Listen to what I'm saying. "Pay as you go," yeah? You just went!
0:00:47 > 0:00:51This guy's running up the stairs. You need to stop him.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54HORN BLARES
0:00:54 > 0:00:58We're just the underground part of the city. London comes down here every single day.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01It IS part of their world.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02It is part of everyone's world.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05I love you.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15'A very pleasant good morning to you, ladies and gents.'
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Welcome to Victoria Station. You have a very lovely and a prosperous day today.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Hope everything goes your way, according to plan.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Don't let no-one cramp your style.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Please move right down all cars, using all the space you can find.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Driver, do your thing. Have a good day yourself.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37I like to see people looking happy. You know what I mean? Things are not so easy now.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42Without these nice people coming through here, there'd be no us.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47Hey, my brother. Yeah, man. How you doing? Have a good day. Respect, man.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Have a nice day. Oh, you're welcome, love.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Take it easy, my brother. Have a nice day. You're welcome.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58You know, for such a small station, the amount of people we get in,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and the way we do it... We keep the system rolling.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07But sadly, the system doesn't always roll that well.
0:02:07 > 0:02:13'This is Victoria. Use all available doors to board this train and move right down inside of the cars.'
0:02:13 > 0:02:15No. I won't play sardines.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Too many smelly armpits.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22More people want to use the Underground than it can carry.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27I do quite like my personal space. There's not a lot of personal space on the Tube.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Take your time, guys, going through. It's quite busy.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Yeah, take your time going through, guys.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39It's always busy here. Even after the peak, there's loads of people.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42It's mostly people that work in London - like, office folk.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45At other stations, after about 9.30 it dies down,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48but it's very touristy here. You get loads of tourists.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Step back a little bit for me. Step back a tiny bit, and try it again. There you go, my dear.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Sometimes it's quite hard to manage.
0:02:56 > 0:02:57We've had a lot of fights here,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00where someone's pushed in in front of someone else.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Step back for me.
0:03:02 > 0:03:03'I call it Wacky Races.'
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Everyone feels their position on the platform is more important than someone else's.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Take your time. The train comes every minute.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13If you don't get on the first, you'll get on the next. It's not a problem.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23In the last ten years, the number of passengers has gone up by a third.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27Once again, ladies and gentlemen, when exiting the Victoria line platform area,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29please use both sides of the up escalator.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Please walk up on the left and stand on the right.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35And at Victoria Station, it's turning into a major problem.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44This is the busiest station and it is probably the most stressful.
0:03:44 > 0:03:45It's just the way it is.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49The station was built, I think, 40-odd years ago.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53It wasn't designed for what comes through - tens of thousands.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Let too many people down to the platforms
0:04:05 > 0:04:08and someone could end up on the tracks.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Running the control room,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Lee is having to make instant crowd-control decisions.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15We are getting busy at the bottom of the escalator,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17so I might have to ask you to hold the next one.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22Every few minutes, he has to decide the tipping point when the barriers have to be closed,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25so no more people can get down to the platforms.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Oh, here we go. OK.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Base to Vic barrier. Vic barrier, can you hold them again?
0:04:31 > 0:04:34If you can wait behind the gates for me, please. Wait there for me, please.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Wait there for me, please.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Yeah, just cos it's very busy downstairs.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Wait, please. Excuse me! Wait, please.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Next time, wait, OK?
0:04:46 > 0:04:51Good morning. Do apologise. We'll ask you, just remain behind the barrier, just for a short while.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54'Please remain behind the barrier, ladies and gentlemen.'
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- Excuse me. I asked you to do something. Wait behind the gate. - Oh.- Yeah.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04'Ladies and gentlemen, the London Fire Brigade investigation
0:05:04 > 0:05:07'has temporarily closed Euston Underground Station.'
0:05:07 > 0:05:11You can't guarantee when you'll get somewhere because of the overcrowding.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16Even if you get to the station, you don't know you'll be allowed in. If I could walk, I definitely would.
0:05:16 > 0:05:17Oh.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Base to one-six. Everything OK?
0:05:24 > 0:05:27If they start blocking up, keep your eye on it.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Also keeping a watchful eye on the crowds
0:05:30 > 0:05:32is the Tube's Network Operations Centre.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35The system is under a lot of pressure,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37given the amount of people we now take.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Over the last 10 or 15 years,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42the increase in passenger traffic has been vastly disproportionate
0:05:42 > 0:05:44to the amount of new building.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Every day, we, as a network, transport more people
0:05:48 > 0:05:50than the rest of the UK rail network put together.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Back at Victoria, things are going from bad to worse.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Yeah, northbound might have a slight delay shortly.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- We've got a train detraining at... - Warren Street.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06..at Warren Street at the moment, so you'll probably find the train will be held. Over.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08'They're taking a train out of service at Warren Street.'
0:06:08 > 0:06:14They try to hold the trains behind on the platform, instead of being stuck in the tunnel.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Obviously, we don't want people being stuck in the tunnel.
0:06:17 > 0:06:18The trains aren't moving,
0:06:18 > 0:06:22the platforms are getting crowded and people are still flooding into the station.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26'Yeah, message received.'
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Lee has to take drastic action.
0:06:28 > 0:06:29RADIO BLEEPS
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Oh, come on. Yeah, all stair.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Kent, Wilt and Sussex, can you close, please?
0:06:36 > 0:06:38In the middle of the morning rush hour,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42the gates to the Underground's busiest station have to close.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Sorry about this, guys. We're just a bit busy.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46We've got minor delays downstairs.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48But it shouldn't be too long, hopefully.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51I know it's been bad all week. I'm very sorry.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04The Tube has been here before.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12REPORTER: Every big city has its transport problem.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14London is no exception.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18At the peak hours, overloading and congestion have grown more and more serious.
0:07:19 > 0:07:2240 years ago, they thought they had solved the problem,
0:07:22 > 0:07:27by building the brand-new Victoria line to end congestion once and for all.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Something has been going on under London.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35With trains running automatically, with completely up-to-date rolling stock,
0:07:35 > 0:07:40the line, in March 1969, was ready for anything.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46But they were wrong. Today, London has again outgrown its Tube system.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54Hi, morning. All right, I'll see you later, yeah? Cheers. Thanks.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57One man thinks he has the answer -
0:07:57 > 0:08:01David Waboso, London Underground's Capital Programmes Director.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06He's spending £10 billion modernising stations, tracks and trains.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14- It's the... What time? 9.32, did you say?- 9.30 train.- 9.30?
0:08:15 > 0:08:19But his solution is creating its own logistical nightmare.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24A very good analogy of this is if you're in a house and you want a huge amount of work done.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28We don't have an option of moving out - we've got to move four million people every day.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31London depends on us - we don't have that option.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35This is like doing that huge upgrade with everybody living in the house.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38It is, because what you can't do is shut it down.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42I love it. It's a privilege.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45It genuinely is a privilege
0:08:45 > 0:08:49to get to do such fantastic once-in-a-lifetime things.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Very humbled by it. Very humbled.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58Today, David is finding out what his money is buying him,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00at a test track in Leicestershire.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Somebody once described modern trains as "Boeings on wheels".
0:09:05 > 0:09:06Hugely complicated,
0:09:06 > 0:09:10so there's a lot of stuff on here that needs to be tested.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14This is the, er... sensitive edge on these doors.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18It's one of those things you just need to keep an eye on.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Basically, one of the problems you have on any train is that
0:09:22 > 0:09:24it's a steel wheel on a steel rail.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27And clearly, if it's wet or you get leaves on the line,
0:09:27 > 0:09:31or ice or snow, the trains can slip.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35So, what we have are various means of managing that interface between the wheel and the rail.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39One of them is fairly basic stuff but very, very good - it works -
0:09:39 > 0:09:41which is to inject some sand
0:09:41 > 0:09:45in front of a certain number of wheels at the right time.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- But the proof is in the driving. - Am I going to be able to have a go?
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- If you want to.- Yeah, thanks. I'd like to see if I can stop it in the right place.
0:10:00 > 0:10:06David wants to know what his new train set feels like from behind the wheel.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- Have you driven a train before? - Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14OK, David, you can increase to 100.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21WHISTLE BLOWS
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Tottenham Court Road Station in central London.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36When it opened in 1900, it carried 20,000 passengers a day.
0:10:36 > 0:10:42Today, it's 150,000. It's being rebuilt to become six times bigger.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46First, though, the Underground must do the unthinkable -
0:10:46 > 0:10:50closing off the station's connection to the Northern line for seven months.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Victoria isn't the only busy interchange where passengers are feeling the pain of modernisation.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Here at Tottenham Court Road,
0:10:59 > 0:11:03the Northern line platforms will close until December.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11'No Northern line interchange until the end of November.'
0:11:12 > 0:11:17- Hiya. It's closed.- Closed?- Yeah, Northern line. Where are you going?
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Would you like some help? - Where's the Northern line?
0:11:20 > 0:11:24It's not working for seven months from here, now, but where do you want to go?
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- It's all right, I'll get the bus. - You sure?- Yeah.- OK.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Deep below the station,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37engineers are in the early stages of this ambitious project.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41They're starting with the most challenging task
0:11:41 > 0:11:44of carving out new tunnels right under the city.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Basically, we're building passenger tunnels
0:11:50 > 0:11:54to ease the congestion on the Central line, cos the Central line
0:11:54 > 0:11:56is just about three metres past that side wall there.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59So, instead of having to go up, through the tunnel,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02through the ticket hall, you just come off the Central line,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05straight through here and down into the Northern line.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Building a new passenger tunnel 30 metres under the ground
0:12:10 > 0:12:14in London's soft clay is not without its challenges.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18When you take out ground,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22the natural desire is for the ground to want to come down and fill the void.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25So, we dig away a little bit and then we reinforce it.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29By reinforcing it, I mean we spray the shotcrete lining,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32which is the reinforcement to hold the ground back.
0:12:44 > 0:12:50Working 30 metres down means getting equipment in, and rubble out, is a tricky operation.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56My job is banksman and slinger. Slinger - that's what I do.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01Put it this way - I'm the eye to the crane driver, because he can't see everything here.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04So, I'm to direct the crane driver, what to do, and I'm here
0:13:04 > 0:13:08to take the loads off, materials down again, to service the shaft.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09That's what that means.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12INDISTINCT
0:13:15 > 0:13:18When I grow old, one day I'll walk around the station and say,
0:13:18 > 0:13:22"I was in this shaft. I was in that shaft." You understand?
0:13:26 > 0:13:28As well as building a brand-new customer walkway,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31connecting the Central line to the Northern line,
0:13:31 > 0:13:37the engineers also have the much more difficult job of improving access to the existing platforms.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40And to do this,
0:13:40 > 0:13:44they've had to temporarily take over part of the station.
0:13:44 > 0:13:45Beep-beep.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48We're on the Northern line platform,
0:13:48 > 0:13:52so the trains are running outside this hoarding.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55So, we've closed off a section of the platform
0:13:55 > 0:14:00to do our work behind, but the trains are running in the meantime.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04The only way of creating the space necessary to construct
0:14:04 > 0:14:09better access points to the platforms is to reshape the original tunnel walls.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16We're turning, basically, the two tubes - the two circles - into C's.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19We're taking the curved section out...
0:14:20 > 0:14:22..between the two running tunnels,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25and replacing it with straight props.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28And then there'll be stairwells in-between.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32There's a lot of hand work - hand mining, hand excavating.
0:14:32 > 0:14:38There's no real machines or anything, cos it's just all very old-fashioned, sort of traditional mining, I guess.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43And the concrete itself is 100 years old, so it's rock hard. It's...
0:14:43 > 0:14:46When the men have been jackhammering,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48the concrete is so hard that there's sparks.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51There's actually sparks flying, so...
0:14:52 > 0:14:56We've set up little mini railways, just to get the materials out,
0:14:56 > 0:15:01cos you don't have the luxuries on a big site, where you've just got a crane overhead all day.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12You've got to keep going, keep fighting.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Keep nagging at the men, driving them on. That's the name of the game.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18That's what we get paid for.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22I've been down holes 44 years.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27I'll probably die in one, you know?
0:15:27 > 0:15:29That's the way it is.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31This is Tottenham Court Road.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34There is no Northern line service at this station.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38No Northern line interchange until the end of November.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Elsewhere in the station, customers wanting to use the Northern line
0:15:41 > 0:15:43are having to be redirected.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Customer service assistant Barry Griffiths has worked here for 16 years
0:15:47 > 0:15:50and this is the biggest disruption for passengers he's seen.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54So, Liverpool Street? Come over here, I'll show you.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57So, you go from us, Liverpool Street, and see the little...
0:15:57 > 0:15:58See the pink line?
0:15:58 > 0:16:01- Yeah.- Hammersmith & City, just change there.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- Thank you.- Nice to meet you. Cheers.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06The power of the map, very important tool.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08You know, because we've got people
0:16:08 > 0:16:11from every part of the world who don't speak English.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15They always say, "Do you speak Spanish? French? Italian?" "No."
0:16:15 > 0:16:17But you bring them to the map.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22You go, "You're here." They go, "What? Que?" You go, "You're here."
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Then you ask them the direction. It's not, "Direction?"
0:16:24 > 0:16:26It's, "Direzione?"
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Never say "destination", they don't know what that means.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33Men are the same, they all want to be leaders.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37They're with their families. They never know where they're going.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39Would you like some help, sir?
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Would you like some help?
0:16:46 > 0:16:50The Tube is not just getting bigger stations to cope with demand.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54More than £2 billion is being spent on tracks and signals as well.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58As part of these works, the Victoria line has been out of action
0:16:58 > 0:17:03over a Bank Holiday weekend while a new signal was put in.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05But when the line opens the next day,
0:17:05 > 0:17:10it's clear that new equipment creates its own headaches.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13We've got a signal failure between Seven Sisters
0:17:13 > 0:17:15and Highbury & Islington.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19It's creating delays on all Victoria line services this evening.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23The new signal hasn't been fitted properly,
0:17:23 > 0:17:28and so in the heat of August, the Tube suffers what its bosses dread most.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30We have to stop everyone, otherwise it'll get congested.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33A line suspension.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38At the Network Operations Centre,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41the Tube's controllers are racing against the clock.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43This morning, about seven o'clock,
0:17:43 > 0:17:47we had a signal failure and that's a big problem for us.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51But we got it fixed and it was OK, then it failed again.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53It is now, as you can see, 17.30.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57We were hoping to get this back before the evening peak.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59It hasn't turned out that way.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02So, what we've done is a hard choice.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06We've decided to suspend the Vic
0:18:06 > 0:18:08so we can go and fix it.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11So, you're under a lot of pressure at this moment?
0:18:11 > 0:18:15London's under a lot of pressure. The Victoria line carries a lot of people.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Ladies and gentlemen,
0:18:20 > 0:18:24we don't have a northbound Victoria line service at present.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27So, if you can use alternative routes, please do so.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- How do I get to Vauxhall.- Vauxhall?
0:18:30 > 0:18:34You might be better to use the bus, because we won't let anyone down.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- Where do you want to go? - Brixton.- Vauxhall.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40For Vauxhall, all I can advise you to do is get the bus from upstairs.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- All right. - I ain't getting the bus!
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Person who's going to Brixton, you'll have to do the same, unfortunately.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Andy?
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- Back up? Chris?- They're waiting...
0:18:58 > 0:19:01They've done all the work they're supposed to do, yeah?
0:19:01 > 0:19:05All we're waiting for is replace the track fuses in the signal relay room
0:19:05 > 0:19:07and then they're going to give an all-clear.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12Right, OK. So, the moment of truth, then, is minutes away.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- Seconds.- Seconds away? Right.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21So, you've got all-clear and normal signalling? Excellent.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26OK, then. Thanks so much. We've got normal signalling
0:19:26 > 0:19:31and about to send the first train through from Seven Sisters.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35Brilliant. The problem is between Seven Sisters and Finsbury Park, about there.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39But just when they think it's fixed,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41the signal fails again.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45So, the track dropped and picked up as it should've done,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- but they didn't have full signalling.- Yeah.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49The question is, what made it bob?
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- I want to go to Highbury & Islington.- There's not...
0:20:00 > 0:20:02VOICES ON RADIO
0:20:04 > 0:20:08Over an hour later, there's finally some better news.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11So, in terms of the second train, which is train 73,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14that's now gone through as a passenger train.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Great. So, we've resumed, basically. We've resumed the train service.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21All we've got to do now is build it into something
0:20:21 > 0:20:24that can do something, can shift people.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27And is the train on its way, yeah?
0:20:31 > 0:20:32The signal has been repaired
0:20:32 > 0:20:37and trains are starting to run again, with massive delays.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42It's been quite horrendous since about quarter to eight this morning.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46We are gradually getting service back.
0:20:46 > 0:20:47I don't see us being able to run
0:20:47 > 0:20:50a normal service before the close of traffic tonight.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52But the Victoria line, it's...
0:20:52 > 0:20:54It's a bit like being Forrest Gump.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57You never know what you're going to get!
0:21:13 > 0:21:16London wouldn't function without the Tube.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20The difficulty for the people who run it is how little of it
0:21:20 > 0:21:22any of us can really see.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Apart from the train, everything else you don't see.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33You don't see the power, the track, the control system, the signalling,
0:21:33 > 0:21:37the radio, you don't see any of that as a customer.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40People just take it as part of life, part of the furniture.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44It's something people are familiar with and take for granted.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47The fact that we have to take it away from people sometimes
0:21:47 > 0:21:49when we do this work is a huge inconvenience,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52because they've built their lives around it.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02At Tube headquarters,
0:22:02 > 0:22:06a postmortem on the Victoria line shutdown is under way.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09David Waboso wants to hear
0:22:09 > 0:22:12from those responsible for the signal failure.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16We all present and correct?
0:22:16 > 0:22:20I have to say, we really need to understand the issues
0:22:20 > 0:22:23with the track circuits and make sure they don't happen again.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26We've had a special workshop this week
0:22:26 > 0:22:30that was looking at what used to be called Black Tuesday
0:22:30 > 0:22:32until we had Apocalyptic Black Tuesday the following one.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35We went through each and every disturbance,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39looking at what could we have done better,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41because we were swamped with reaction.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Well, we should all look at that and weep.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46One lady missed her exam.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Another lady missed her train
0:22:48 > 0:22:52and then had to go and buy a full purchase of a new ticket.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54People saying, you know,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57we were deprived of the service for three whole days
0:22:57 > 0:23:01over the Bank Holiday and then effectively the following day.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05You can just feel the pain and the rage.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07We really don't want to be there again.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12It's not going anywhere till I am personally assured
0:23:12 > 0:23:15why it went wrong and why it will never happen again.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Understood.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20You have a product that you didn't understand,
0:23:20 > 0:23:24that was being installed, and this must be an issue for you.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28- Absolutely.- You need to explain that to me.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30I could go into some definition of that now,
0:23:30 > 0:23:32but now's probably not the time
0:23:32 > 0:23:35because we've had to do a lot of review around that
0:23:35 > 0:23:37and those changes are being implemented now.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39And I want a name, yeah?
0:23:39 > 0:23:43A name against who is accountable in this room for fixing it.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51You going to be all right on the escalator? Be careful.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53- It's all right, I know. - Yeah? Be careful.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57- Hi. Is he going to be all right on the escalator?- Yeah.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00You sure? All right, just be careful, OK?
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Especially with his fur and that, be careful. All right?
0:24:04 > 0:24:07At Victoria Station, the congestion is getting worse,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09even outside rush hour.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13An escalator is being replaced. Thanks to the upgrade,
0:24:13 > 0:24:17all Victoria line passengers here now have just two escalators.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22This is now ten o'clock in the morning, it's well past rush hour.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26There's people now going down two on every step with their bags
0:24:26 > 0:24:29and as they step to get off and pull the handle out
0:24:29 > 0:24:32on their little travel luggage, people pile up behind them.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35You can see that one stumble and people are on top of each other.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38It does now mean that if one of these fails,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40we'd have to close the station.
0:24:40 > 0:24:45You can't run the station without those escalators. It's that critical.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53The repair team will take three months to replace the escalator.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Graeme wants to make sure they're on track.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59I'm just at your back, watching.
0:24:59 > 0:25:00Don't stop for me.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02That enough?
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Bit more?
0:25:04 > 0:25:06I'm basically taking out
0:25:06 > 0:25:09almost the entire machine
0:25:09 > 0:25:12and replacing it with brand-new parts, so extend its life
0:25:12 > 0:25:16by another 20, 40 years, depending on how much it gets used.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19Like my knees, it's tired and they need new ones.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23When you look at it, see how that's bent?
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- Goodness me.- Yeah?
0:25:25 > 0:25:29- You ready for the next step? - Yeah.- Here it comes.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Each of the escalator's 104 steps
0:25:32 > 0:25:35has to be installed one by one.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Down a bit.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46A lot of the physical works you can see
0:25:46 > 0:25:49will be complete inside five or six, seven weeks.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Then it's the other bits and pieces. It's getting the alignments.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56It's like you've taken out the entire contents of your car
0:25:56 > 0:25:59and you're putting it back in and make sure it's all perfectly aligned
0:25:59 > 0:26:02and it runs smoothly for the next 40 years.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05The tolerances are down to millimetres either side,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08in-between the gaps on the steps
0:26:08 > 0:26:11so people can't get their fingers in the steps or trapped in the sides.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13It's technically challenging.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15- Everyone clear?- Yeah.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22- Are you going as fast as you can?- Yeah.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Well, I think I am.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Other people might not, but I do.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- TANNOY:- Ladies and gentlemen,
0:26:29 > 0:26:33the Circle and District lines are partially closed...
0:26:33 > 0:26:36We've had a complaint letter before,
0:26:36 > 0:26:40are we building it with Guatemalan pygmies because it takes so long?
0:26:40 > 0:26:43"I could do it myself in a weekend with some friends."
0:26:43 > 0:26:46The temptation to write back and say "Oh, really?" is enormous.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55The biggest single improvement to the Victoria line can be found
0:26:55 > 0:26:58at Northumberland Park Depot in northeast London.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01It's home to all 43 existing trains on the line...
0:27:06 > 0:27:08..and from now on, the Tube's great new hope.
0:27:15 > 0:27:2047 new trains are being delivered, one carriage at a time,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22by road from the factory in Derby.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33The 40-year-old trains are like your old ZX Spectrum, yeah?
0:27:33 > 0:27:34This is like your new iPad, yeah?
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Basically, they're faster, and with that
0:27:37 > 0:27:39you get more trains through the stations.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42More trains an hour, yeah?
0:27:42 > 0:27:45More passengers being taken down on the line.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49- So, do you think they're better? - I think they're better, yeah.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58The old trains are given one last job before retiring.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02They're being used to push the three-tonne new carriages into the depot.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Once all eight carriages are delivered to the depot,
0:28:17 > 0:28:22the train will be ready to join the 30 other new ones already in service.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27And the old model will no longer be needed.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38What will happen to the old train now?
0:28:38 > 0:28:42Um... Well, we'll say goodbye to it. It'll be going down for scrap.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46We'll set up trip cocks on it and then it'll be sent down to Acton
0:28:46 > 0:28:49and from then on, off to scrap.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57Good afternoon, ladies and gents. This train will depart
0:28:57 > 0:29:00in approximately two minutes. Thank you.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Oh, Mum? Yeah. Can I have carrots instead of peas? Yeah.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09And just the bacon just slightly crispy on the edge. Thanks.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17I do love this part of the line. It's just... I don't know why.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS
0:29:20 > 0:29:23You can feel all that grey, horrible,
0:29:23 > 0:29:27suburban, utilitarian, post-apocalyptic concrete rubbish
0:29:27 > 0:29:29just disappearing in the background.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32You can just feel the warmth of the city, just throbbing.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40I would love to preserve one of these when they're going.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Really. Seriously.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44If not the whole carriage then just the cab
0:29:44 > 0:29:46and the missus, she's well up for, she said,
0:29:46 > 0:29:50"If that's what you want to do, you do it. I know it means a lot to you."
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Just the cab section, that's all. Stick it in the front room somewhere
0:29:53 > 0:29:56and just paint a big black circle around it.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58While she's watching The X Factor I can sit here...
0:29:58 > 0:30:01"Oh, look! I used to drive these!"
0:30:09 > 0:30:12At Northumberland Park Depot,
0:30:12 > 0:30:15all the new trains have now been delivered.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17But before heading to the scrap yard,
0:30:17 > 0:30:21the very last 1967 train is being given a ceremonial send-off.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Last '67 stock on the Victoria line
0:30:24 > 0:30:26going out today.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28And it's the end of the old girl.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31It is an honour to drive the last one out, so yeah,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34bringing it out the depot for the last journey,
0:30:34 > 0:30:35bit of an emotional day.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37HORN TOOTS
0:30:51 > 0:30:57This is the last of the trains which started this whole revolution
0:30:57 > 0:30:59of automatic train operation in the world.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03Let's not forget these were the first trains to run
0:31:03 > 0:31:07without a driver driving it, so it's good to see them go
0:31:07 > 0:31:10because it's the next step of the upgrade of the Underground.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16How we doing, all right?
0:31:16 > 0:31:18What time is 247 due?
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Through here I believe just before quarter to seven.
0:31:21 > 0:31:27- I work on the District line at West Brompton.- Right. - And I've come from work.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30So, you're going to have a ride on this?
0:31:30 > 0:31:35- I went on the first ever Brixton train from here...- Really?
0:31:35 > 0:31:40- ..when the line opened.- What, in 1960... When was that? '71?- '71.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42You've got to be guest of honour tonight.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44We're building up quite a crowd now.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48'Ladies and gentlemen, this is the driver speaking.'
0:31:48 > 0:31:52This is the last 1967 stop on the Victoria line.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Those of you leaving us, I hope you've enjoyed your journey.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Can you just show me what you're putting up?
0:32:06 > 0:32:10It's a home-made poster by Ken over there.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14And it's to notify people that it is the last train,
0:32:14 > 0:32:17in the hope that they will understand and realise
0:32:17 > 0:32:22that an important part of London transport's going for good today.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- Do you all know each other here? ALL:- Yes.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Er, I'm 16.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29How old are you all?
0:32:29 > 0:32:31- 16.- I'm 15.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33The average age is sort of 16, so...
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- And I'm the senior man at 18. - THEY ALL LAUGH
0:32:36 > 0:32:40I suppose the stereotype is old men with big books who sit on the end of a platform,
0:32:40 > 0:32:42but there are younger people about as well.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46- We do this often, like every weekend.- Really?- Yeah.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49After school, after college, we do it quite often.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51- Why do you do it?- It's enjoyable.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53It's a hobby, really.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56People have places in their heart for footballers and musicians,
0:32:56 > 0:33:01and some people have it for trains - it's just different, you know?
0:33:01 > 0:33:03- It's just not socially accepted. - Yeah.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Just think, when this train came out of the production line
0:33:11 > 0:33:14there was the Mark II Cortina was just being announced.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17You know, who has one of those on their drive?
0:33:17 > 0:33:18Is there one still left?
0:33:21 > 0:33:23- Here it is.- Yes, yes.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34Give that door a bit of a shove. Its last day today!
0:33:44 > 0:33:48- You've never had such a full train, have you? - No, not round this time of night!
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Anyhow, well done. Thank you very much for doing that.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57OK, thanks, ladies and gentlemen.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Last '67 goes to the depot.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03Thanks, everyone, for coming along. It's been a fantastic afternoon.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06I hope you've enjoyed it as much as we have.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10And looking forward to our new trains doing the service that these have done.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12HORN TOOTS
0:34:12 > 0:34:15APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:34:16 > 0:34:17Three cheers for the '67 stock!
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- Hip-hip!- Hooray!
0:34:20 > 0:34:22- Hip-hip!- Hooray!
0:34:22 > 0:34:23- Hip-hip!- Hooray!
0:34:23 > 0:34:26- And one for luck. Hip-hip!- Hooray!
0:34:51 > 0:34:53At Tottenham Court Road Station,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56the Northern line platforms are meant to be opening soon
0:34:56 > 0:34:59and the engineers are starting to feel the pressure.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01That's the granules, yeah?
0:35:01 > 0:35:05The tunnels have been re-shaped, gaining the engineers the critical
0:35:05 > 0:35:08extra two feet of space they need to build bigger passenger walkways.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- Still doing it upside down, Frank? - Yeah!
0:35:11 > 0:35:13- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18Now the platform has to be got ready for the public again.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20How are you feeling at this point in the process?
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Stressed. Not unduly, just stressed.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Personal pressure on my shoulders
0:35:25 > 0:35:29to progress the work safely.
0:35:29 > 0:35:30The days are counting down.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33When I get my teeth into a job, and I like a job,
0:35:33 > 0:35:35and I can see the end of a job,
0:35:35 > 0:35:37I want my managers to be happy
0:35:37 > 0:35:40and I want to walk away from here feeling also like, job well done.
0:35:43 > 0:35:48It's organised chaos and it gets done. Everyone works hard.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52I'm scratch coating at the moment,
0:35:52 > 0:35:56building that top ready for the curve, on the top of the wall.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01This will take tiling in the end, so it's got to be spot-on.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Excuse me, come right round, please.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06We're empty round here, come round. Far side...
0:36:06 > 0:36:07On the station concourse,
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Barry Griffiths always keeps the public moving any way he can.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Keep pushing, keep pushing, push!
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Push, you need to push!
0:36:16 > 0:36:19No, too late. Come back, then, mate. Come back, come back. Come back!
0:36:19 > 0:36:23If you can't push, come back. That's it.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28Sir, we have a door for you next time!
0:36:28 > 0:36:30I'm looking for The Tottenham pub.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35- Everybody is! It's just there - upstairs, immediate left. It's just there.- Great, thank you.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38- Would you like some directions? - Please.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41- Where do you want to go? - Shaftsbury Avenue.- To see the show?
0:36:45 > 0:36:48It's good, it feels good cos they're all happy.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51All happy, all dressed up, all going somewhere,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53been somewhere, been shopping...
0:36:53 > 0:36:56probably going to a party or out for a drink.
0:36:56 > 0:37:01See all these girls dressed up, they're probably going somewhere, look. All over there, looking good.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04I can see by their appearance... They're from the Midlands.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07Londoners are different.
0:37:07 > 0:37:08They dress differently.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11Different haircuts, different styles.
0:37:11 > 0:37:12Different type of shoes.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16Afternoon!
0:37:16 > 0:37:17Tourist!
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Well, obviously the theatre's turning out, so I know
0:37:24 > 0:37:27it's roughly about 10.15, 10.20,
0:37:27 > 0:37:31and we'll get busy now for about another 25 minutes.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33Then a bit quiet, a bit of a lull then,
0:37:33 > 0:37:37then we get the people out of the pubs then till 11.30, 11.45.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41Then we get the people who've forgotten it's the last trains and start running,
0:37:41 > 0:37:43but they can't get in.
0:37:43 > 0:37:48Up go the clubbers. There you go - just see them going up there.
0:37:48 > 0:37:49They'll be out all night now.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56- Did you hear that?- Yeah. - Mop and bucket.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- Was it toilet? - Wee, he had a wee.- Wee-wee.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Wee-wee. Someone's had a wee-wee on the platform.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07We have had number twos as well, I can assure you. We used to have the secret crapper.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Yeah!
0:38:09 > 0:38:12On this platform, right at the end. Every week, different day.
0:38:12 > 0:38:13Never caught them.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15We don't think they did it...
0:38:15 > 0:38:18We think they brought it in their pocket and dumped it.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24From midnight onwards,
0:38:24 > 0:38:26the last trains start coming through the station.
0:38:26 > 0:38:31And it's Barry's job to make sure that customers don't miss them.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33What are you doing up this time of night?!
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Getting a sherbet? Getting a drink?
0:38:35 > 0:38:37- I'm pissed, I'm so pissed. - HE LAUGHS
0:38:37 > 0:38:39Are you really? Are you going to get home all right?
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Don't hang about, and don't fall asleep on the train!
0:38:42 > 0:38:45- Where'd you go? Where've you been? - Lovely to see you.
0:38:45 > 0:38:46Haven't seen you for ages.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- Are you going home now? Got far to go?- Erm, Morden.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Oh, nice, be careful. Don't talk to strange people, all right?
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Night. I love you.
0:38:54 > 0:38:55Have a nice one.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Cheers. Cheers, Tone.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01I treat these people like my friends, like mum and dad, like my best mates.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Everybody needs help and everybody's OK.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08There's very few people who are rubbish, or horrible.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12Vast majority of people, 99% of people are great.
0:39:14 > 0:39:15Hurry up, hurry up!
0:39:52 > 0:39:55For some drivers, the arrival of new trains
0:39:55 > 0:39:58is making them think about their future.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02Good morning, our next station is Stonebridge Park.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07- Do you like the Bakerloo line? - I do.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09It's old.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11It's old stock, it's '72 stock.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13There's no computers on it.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16If anything goes wrong, you've got to use your brain.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19It's a challenge and I like that.
0:40:19 > 0:40:25Whereas I believe, the new trains like the Northern, Victoria, Jubilee,
0:40:25 > 0:40:32they have computers and computers tell you what the problem is.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35What will happen when they automate these trains?
0:40:35 > 0:40:38I hope to be retired by then!
0:40:45 > 0:40:49Victoria line train operator Boz Gunduz is starting his shift.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53He feels the new trains are already making his life easier.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57Ladies and gentlemen, this train is now ready to depart.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Please stand clear of the closing doors.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Stand clear of the closing doors, please.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08As you can see, these are much nicer to drive.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13One-handed operation.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19Easy on the elbows and shoulders. I remember driving the '67 stock,
0:41:19 > 0:41:22the old stock, and you had to have one hand on the dead man handle,
0:41:22 > 0:41:26holding that down, while the other hand held the traction break controller,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29and had to move it up and down and break and accelerate.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33When I was a little boy, I wanted to be an astronaut.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Totally honest with you, I wanted to be an astronaut.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40I wanted to go to space, but, erm...
0:41:40 > 0:41:42instead of going up, I've gone down!
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Instead of going up in the air, I've gone underground.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48What's the answer to all this congestion?
0:41:48 > 0:41:51I'd love to say, "Yeah, let's get more trains."
0:41:51 > 0:41:54The problem is, you put more trains on the line...
0:41:54 > 0:41:57It's like a road, it's like any road with a car.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01You can put more cars on it, you can carry more people, but eventually
0:42:01 > 0:42:05it'll start slowing down as there's too many cars to move around.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Ladies and gentlemen, just remaining on the platform
0:42:11 > 0:42:15for a few moments to regulate service in front and behind of this train.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Ladies and gentlemen, this train is now ready to depart.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Please stand clear of the closing doors.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25The new trains do carry more passengers,
0:42:25 > 0:42:30but the Victoria line controllers still face a fundamental problem.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32At any one point, we have more trains than we do platforms,
0:42:32 > 0:42:36so if we were to get stuck now, we've got 31 trains...
0:42:36 > 0:42:38we haven't got enough platforms to put them all into,
0:42:38 > 0:42:43so if something goes wrong, very quickly you've got trains stacking up all over the place.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46General message from Seven Sisters signals
0:42:46 > 0:42:49to trains between Seven Sisters and Kings Cross on the southbound.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53We've just been advised we've got a train with door problems.
0:42:53 > 0:42:57It maybe has to hold in platforms and be delayed departure, et cetera.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01Just bear with us, we will get you on the move as soon as possible.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06At Seven Sisters Station, at the north end of the Victoria line,
0:43:06 > 0:43:10one of the new trains has suddenly stopped dead.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14Its driver is forced to get out of his cab and investigate.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17The train's doors are fitted with a sensitive edge
0:43:17 > 0:43:21which automatically stops the train if something is caught in them.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24But they're just too sensitive, causing frequent delays.
0:43:25 > 0:43:28The sensitive edges are a major issue at the moment,
0:43:28 > 0:43:31where the doors close if you get something caught into it.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35It can be something silly like somebody leaning against the door or a bag strap caught
0:43:35 > 0:43:38and people pulling at the bag strap, things like that.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41He then has to go and investigate, and if it's the last car,
0:43:41 > 0:43:44he's got to shut his train down, walk all the way to the end of the platform,
0:43:44 > 0:43:48find out what it is, and it can be something as silly as a piece of paper
0:43:48 > 0:43:51caught in the door which stops the mechanism from closing,
0:43:51 > 0:43:54but it's these things which slow you right down, cost you 2, 3, 4 minutes.
0:43:54 > 0:43:56Are you the driver?
0:43:56 > 0:43:58I'm the driver. What happened?
0:43:58 > 0:44:00While the driver makes his checks,
0:44:00 > 0:44:03the train at Seven Sisters remains on the platform.
0:44:05 > 0:44:09And all the trains behind it are stuck as well.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11This isn't good.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15OK, so if you look at Green Park.
0:44:15 > 0:44:19This is your southbound. You ideally should have the next train here.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22But it's not, your next train is way down there.
0:44:22 > 0:44:26Oxford Circus is six stations away from the stopped train
0:44:26 > 0:44:30on the Victoria line, and they know it's about to affect them.
0:44:32 > 0:44:35I've just had a report of sensitive edge doors.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39In most cases, if he can't reset the doors,
0:44:39 > 0:44:43he'll have to detrain that train, take it out of service and...
0:44:43 > 0:44:45we've got trains stacked up behind it,
0:44:45 > 0:44:49so we need to get that train on the move pretty sharpish.
0:44:49 > 0:44:55A minute more and we'll end up having to shut.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01Ladies and gentlemen, I apologise for having to stop in the tunnel.
0:45:01 > 0:45:05Just a little bit of congestion on the line ahead of us is causing this.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08We're just waiting here for the platform ahead to become available,
0:45:08 > 0:45:12and hopefully we'll be on the move fairly soon.
0:45:12 > 0:45:16It's things like this that overall congestion can cause.
0:45:16 > 0:45:18I don't know what the cause is ahead of us,
0:45:18 > 0:45:21but obviously, we've got too many trains in this section now,
0:45:21 > 0:45:25we haven't got a clear run to the next platform, we're having to wait at this signal.
0:45:25 > 0:45:28We're all now piled up like a big traffic jam.
0:45:31 > 0:45:37At Oxford Circus, crowds of people are still flowing into the station.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41But the trains aren't coming through regularly enough to clear them.
0:45:41 > 0:45:46The northbound Victoria line services are being held at the platform for a short while.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49This is to regulate the train service.
0:45:51 > 0:45:55People trying to exit the platform, then these ones,
0:45:55 > 0:45:59they want to get on the train.
0:45:59 > 0:46:02- Sometimes, that can get quite scary. - 3-5 on platform one.
0:46:02 > 0:46:043-5, are you receiving?
0:46:04 > 0:46:08Suddenly, the balance tips. In the middle of rush hour, the decision is made to shut
0:46:08 > 0:46:13all the station entrances before it becomes dangerously overcrowded.
0:46:13 > 0:46:17Staff, can we man the gates, please? Can we man the gates, please?
0:46:21 > 0:46:23Sorry, sorry.
0:46:36 > 0:46:40It's a decision that's never popular with customers.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43Listen, don't swear at me!
0:46:43 > 0:46:46I don't have to have you swear at me. You want to swear, go elsewhere.
0:46:48 > 0:46:51I've had people who will stick their feet in the door
0:46:51 > 0:46:52and try and shove you out the way.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55You're like, "We're closing the gates, you're not coming in."
0:46:57 > 0:47:02Within minutes, a crowd of hundreds has built up outside the station.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07It's part of the travelling.
0:47:07 > 0:47:11If you get upset about it, you'll end up blowing your top.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14If you have to use the station, you have to use the station. What else?
0:47:14 > 0:47:21I have come to expect it. But...there's not a lot you can do about it. It's just frustrating.
0:47:22 > 0:47:26Most times, we'll try and suggest alternative routes.
0:47:26 > 0:47:28A lot of them are just lost if you ask them
0:47:28 > 0:47:31to go to any other station, so most of them just stand there,
0:47:31 > 0:47:35come rain, come sun, come snow, whatever it is.
0:47:36 > 0:47:40So, yeah. They will stay there until we open.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45After six minutes, the train at Seven Sisters is moving again.
0:47:45 > 0:47:50And three miles away, the customers at Oxford Circus are finally let back into the station.
0:47:57 > 0:48:02- Next customer, please.- Hello. - Good afternoon. Where are you going?
0:48:02 > 0:48:06- Victoria Station.- £4.- £4.- Expensive.
0:48:08 > 0:48:14I've been on the job now 31 years. 31 years, in September past.
0:48:14 > 0:48:18Quite a long time, but I do like it. I like meeting the people, you know?
0:48:18 > 0:48:21A bit of camp in-between, but that's life.
0:48:21 > 0:48:27Hello there, next customer, please. Pop in your little card, please.
0:48:27 > 0:48:34And your secret PIN number, please. Your balance is 5.20. Do you need a shiny holder?
0:48:34 > 0:48:36- Listen, take care.- Thank you.
0:48:36 > 0:48:38Bye-bye.
0:48:43 > 0:48:47David Waboso wants a conference call with the factory making their new trains.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50Problems with doors have caused almost a quarter of all
0:48:50 > 0:48:52the Victoria line's delays this week.
0:48:52 > 0:48:56But there are also headaches with new trains on other lines.
0:48:56 > 0:48:58A software glitch has been discovered.
0:48:58 > 0:49:00How did that get through factory testing?
0:49:00 > 0:49:03How did we only see this in service?
0:49:03 > 0:49:07'It's the irregularity... the frequency of which the fault will occur
0:49:07 > 0:49:13'and it doesn't fall within the time span of the work we do here or the testing we do.'
0:49:13 > 0:49:16Well, then it means we have to do more testing.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19We cannot afford to bring this kit in service in this way.
0:49:19 > 0:49:23We've had these discussions time and time and time again.
0:49:23 > 0:49:24It's just not acceptable.
0:49:24 > 0:49:28'What we're doing is identifying the root cause and fixing the root to it.'
0:49:28 > 0:49:31I know that's what we're doing, but we're doing it in service.
0:49:33 > 0:49:34'OK.
0:49:34 > 0:49:38'Peter, there's an outstanding engineering justification
0:49:38 > 0:49:44'that related to a sensitive edge door rubbers being a bit proud.
0:49:44 > 0:49:48- 'We were promised that last Friday. - This is the 3mm, 4mm.- Yeah.
0:49:48 > 0:49:50'I'm sure they are looking at it today.'
0:49:50 > 0:49:53- Well, can you share that with me, please?- 'Sure.'
0:49:53 > 0:49:55In a very clear way what needs to be fixed.
0:49:55 > 0:50:00You know, I go back to basic engineering here - what is the design reliability?
0:50:00 > 0:50:01Is it meeting it?
0:50:01 > 0:50:05What was the testing regime to validate that, and why is it failing in service?
0:50:05 > 0:50:08It's going to become like a cracked record - I'll say it every time.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11- 'Yup.'- Thank you.
0:50:11 > 0:50:16To be honest, the core issue is how much we continue accepting these trains with this volume of defects.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30Luckily, in the Victoria line train shed,
0:50:30 > 0:50:34engineers think they have a solution to their door problem.
0:50:34 > 0:50:36Can we do two more?
0:50:37 > 0:50:40Before we close it, can I have the right angle?
0:50:42 > 0:50:44These are too safe.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47It brings down the reliability of the train.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50And that's why we are trying to make it intelligent.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53If you look at the old kind of sensor,
0:50:53 > 0:50:57when there's clothing trapped between the doors
0:50:57 > 0:51:00and someone pulls it from inside, it doesn't do anything,
0:51:00 > 0:51:04it doesn't activate the sensitive edge. But when the pulling is from outside,
0:51:04 > 0:51:08it's intelligent enough to understand the pulling is from outside,
0:51:08 > 0:51:11and activate the sensitive edge and puts the emergency brake on.
0:51:13 > 0:51:17It is called intelligent sensitive edge, as opposed to sensitive edge.
0:51:19 > 0:51:23Replacing the door edges is going to cost £3 million and take six months.
0:51:23 > 0:51:27In the meantime, the trains will still run with delays.
0:51:37 > 0:51:39It's 4am at Tottenham Court Road Station.
0:51:39 > 0:51:43Time for engineers to hand the Northern line platforms back to the public.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57What do you think the customers will think?
0:51:57 > 0:52:02From a public's perspective, a bit of a disappointment,
0:52:02 > 0:52:05but from our perspective, it's going to look absolutely wonderful
0:52:05 > 0:52:09compared to what it has been through, this environment.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12It already... To me, that looks...like art.
0:52:16 > 0:52:20The only evidence of the massive construction work
0:52:20 > 0:52:23is three blue hoardings, hiding new platform entrances
0:52:23 > 0:52:28which will eventually join to the passenger walkways.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35An hour later, it's time for the station to open.
0:52:35 > 0:52:39Customer services assistant Barry Griffiths is on the early shift.
0:52:39 > 0:52:43It's very exciting. It's very exciting, yeah.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45It's lovely to have it back.
0:52:47 > 0:52:48Fantastic.
0:52:53 > 0:52:58The great thing is they've kept all the murals, which is lovely.
0:52:58 > 0:53:01They actually look really good. They look great.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06I think customers will be expecting a lot more.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09They'll think it's going to have been completely refurbished,
0:53:09 > 0:53:12ie, you know, it's up top spec.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15What they don't realise is this is the start of it, this is the prelim,
0:53:15 > 0:53:19when they're just getting it ready to do the big...the big bit.
0:53:21 > 0:53:26Bang on time at 5.42, a train rolls into the station.
0:53:26 > 0:53:30It's the first time in seven months that a train has stopped at this platform.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34There's the dust.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40Is it finished?
0:53:40 > 0:53:45All that's happened so far is that you've ripped off the...tiles.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47I expect something else is going to happen.
0:53:47 > 0:53:52Oh, I expected it to be more complete, definitely, yes. I did.
0:53:52 > 0:53:56It's just the relief of not having to take three trains to get to Hampstead.
0:54:03 > 0:54:09For the renewal of Tottenham Court Road, it's only the end of the beginning.
0:54:09 > 0:54:14Above ground, behind the hoardings, the vast new station is just starting to take shape.
0:54:29 > 0:54:34David Waboso and Howard Collins are visiting the site.
0:54:34 > 0:54:37I could spend all day here. It's so exciting, this place, you know.
0:54:37 > 0:54:38I love it.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43You can just see the tops of the buses,
0:54:43 > 0:54:47but behind that hoarding are people marching up and down Oxford Street.
0:54:47 > 0:54:53If you go down five metres, behind that brick-glaze wall there,
0:54:53 > 0:54:55are people walking into my ticket hall.
0:55:10 > 0:55:15It will be another four years before Tottenham Court Road is finished.
0:55:18 > 0:55:23The new station is designed for 200,000 passengers a day.
0:55:23 > 0:55:26But even that may not be big enough.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33The Tube, in a sense, generates its own traffic.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36As soon as you upgrade something, as soon as you put in another
0:55:36 > 0:55:40couple of trains per hour, you find that the capacity is taken up.
0:55:44 > 0:55:50I mean, we were talking four or five years ago about four million passengers a day in 2016.
0:55:50 > 0:55:54Guess what? Last year, back end of 2011, four million passengers a day.
0:55:54 > 0:55:58So, we're now thinking five million passengers a day.
0:55:58 > 0:56:02And the more you expand, the more people use it.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14As soon as you fix this congested point, there's another one
0:56:14 > 0:56:19along the line somewhere else to fix, so it's a never-ending task.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22What we have to sometimes do is deliver,
0:56:22 > 0:56:24I think, sometimes the impossible.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46At Victoria Station, at least one part of the upgrade IS finished.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49'Ladies and gentlemen, when using the escalator down
0:56:49 > 0:56:53'to the Victoria line platform level, can you please stand on the right...'
0:56:53 > 0:56:56It makes you think, how did we survive with just two?
0:56:56 > 0:57:00When you see all the people coming down. Especially with their bags.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06Some days we say to each other, "It's busy today."
0:57:06 > 0:57:09It definitely is getting busier. That's why we close them all.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11More people are coming.
0:57:13 > 0:57:17We're a good team. People who work here know the score, they know how difficult it is.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20They'll adapt, cos we always do.
0:57:20 > 0:57:22We always do, we always manage it, somehow or another.
0:57:22 > 0:57:24Fingers crossed.
0:58:00 > 0:58:03Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd