Weekend shutdowns on District and Circle lines

Tube passengers face travel chaos as a major section of two of the network's busiest lines shuts down for 12 weekends.

The "dirty dozen" shutdown - which begins this weekend - will close the busy District and Circle lines over a huge stretch between Earl's Court and Whitechapel.

London Underground has ordered the closure to enable ageing tracks to be replaced. Weekend closures will continue at periodic intervals until November.

The two lines share the same tracks. The closures will include the four-day Easter and the three-day spring bank holiday weekends.

Both lines are heavily used by tourists and shoppers at weekends.

LU says shutting the line is the best and only practical way to get such a huge amount of work completed.

The lines are said to be in desperate need of replacement. They are safe but constant faults and uneven track mean frequent delays to the service.

Howard Collins, LU service director, said alternate Tube and bus services would be increased.

Blackfriars, Cannon Street, Mansion House, Sloane Square, St James's Park and Tower Hill stations will close.

Mr Collins said: "We will do everything possible to keep passengers moving during the closures. Extra services will be operating on the Hammersmith & City lines during the closure and these trains will run to Barking throughout the weekends."