Circle Line hell under Boris

The number of trains in service and the distance they travelled have fallen, with rush hours worst affected There are only six Circle trains an hour, compared with seven previously. The line is used by about 220,000 passengers on a typical weekday.

Train drivers have criticised the new service, saying the problems have also affected the District line, which shares its southern section.

They say journey times between Ealing Broadway and Tower Hill — one of the busiest stretches of the District — have increased from 45 minutes to 50. They also report trains “bunching” with long waits at Aldgate, Barking and Earl's Court.