Tube service faces overhaul

In Chesham journey times to Baker Street will be reduced to under an hour and the current shuttle train, which requires passengers to change at Chalfont & Latimer, would be replaced with two direct trains an hour, if the go-ahead is given.
National Rail journeys, of which there are two an hour from Amersham, and peak-time Tubes will remain unaffected.
Currently there are three direct morning rush-hour services from Chesham.
This follows a four-week consultation on the plans for the Metropolitan line during the summer, in which passengers were asked for their views.
Transport for London spokesman Tracey O'Brien said: "London Underground received over 800 responses to the recent consultation regarding proposed changes to Amersham and Chesham services.
"We were very encouraged by the large volume of responses received and would like to thank all those customers who took part. However it has taken some time to analyse the information. We hope to announce the outcome of the decision in January 2009."
The proposals were welcomed by the Chesham Society, which has campaigned for direct Tubes since the lines were electrified in 1963.
Chairman Bernard Meldrum said the move was 'a positive step and reassuring for the future'. He said: "The thinking is it will enhance the town and enhance the service it gets. The one weakness is the trains will terminate at Baker Street instead of going into the city but the prospect is wonderful and we should do anything to encourage it."
Brian Woods, acting chairman of The Amersham Action Group, a revitalisation body for Amersham-on-the-hill, said the move could result in less traffic between Chesham and Amersham.
He said: "We are not aware in detail of the impact but the probability is there will be some reduction in traffic and parking requirements if Chesham commuters use Chesham rather than Amersham."
The changes would take effect from May 2009 at the earliest, transport bosses said.