The Piccadilly line will close for essential engineering work between Hatton Cross and Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 next week, from 29 to 31 August 2006.

We have timed the work carefully to minimise disruption

The three-day closure will allow the re-commissioning of signalling systems on the Terminal 4 loop, in preparation for its reopening next month.

This is part of the wider project to extend the Piccadilly line to Heathrow Terminal 5 by 2008.

During the closure period, passengers for Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 will change onto a shuttle bus service running every few minutes to and from Hatton Cross.

Valid Tube tickets will also be accepted on local buses. Passengers for Heathrow T4 will continue to use the existing shuttle bus service to and from Hatton Cross, which has been in place since January 2005.

Porters will be available at Hatton Cross to assist passengers with heavy luggage.

Tube passengers can also travel for free on Heathrow Express rail services between Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 and 4 but not into Central London.

Mike Challis, Piccadilly Line General Manager, said: "The three-day closure of the Piccadilly line to Heathrow will allow essential signalling work on the Terminal 4 loop, in preparation for its reopening next month.

Minimise disruption

"We have timed the work carefully to minimise disruption, as fewer people travel to Heathrow mid-week at this time of year.

"Extensive alternative arrangements will be in place to cater for Heathrow passengers.

"A fleet of shuttle buses will depart every few minutes between Hatton Cross and Heathrow, and local bus services will be strengthened during the closure period."

Passengers are advised to allow up to 20 minutes extra for their journeys.

Further travel advice and journey planning is available at:

  • London Travel Information (24-hour telephone helpline) on 020 7222 1234
  • TfL Journey Planner at www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner
  • Posters and leaflets at Piccadilly line stations. Ask any member of staff for copies

Alternative travel information for 29, 30 and 31 August 2006

All Piccadilly line services to Heathrow will terminate at Hatton Cross.

  • Replacement bus service A: operating every few minutes between Hatton Cross and Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 (Stand 4, Central Bus Station)
  • Local bus route 285: increased services between Hatton Cross and Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3; valid Tube tickets will be accepted
  • Local bus route 111: increased services between Hounslow East and Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3; valid Tube tickets will be accepted
    NB. This is the suggested route for mobility impaired passengers; all buses are fully accessible
  • Terminal 4 shuttle bus: increased services operating between Hatton Cross and Heathrow T4 during closure
  • Heathrow Express: free transfer between Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 and 4

For 24-hour information on public transport in London, please call: 020 7222 1234.

TfL's Realtime pages display live travel information on London's public transport network: www.tfl.gov.uk/realtime

Journey Planner checks the transport network's status before providing results. The best available route is shown automatically: www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner

Travel alerts via SMS and email can be set up at: www.tfl.gov.uk/alerts

  • On 7 January 2005, the Piccadilly line Terminal 4 loop closed for 20 months for the construction of a new rail junction, which will connect the Piccadilly line Terminal 5 extension to the existing Piccadilly line
  • The work on the T4 loop is nearing completion; Piccadilly line services to Heathrow Terminal 4 will resume in September 2006
  • The final stage of work before the loop reopens will take place during next week's closure, when Tube Lines will re-commission the signalling systems
  • The project to extend the Piccadilly line to Heathrow Terminal 5 is funded by Heathrow Airport Ltd (a subsidiary of BAA). Work is progressing well and is on target for completion by March 2008