'Several' weeks to restore Tube line
Services on parts of London Underground will not be fully restored for several weeks because of the damage caused by the Tube explosions, managers announced tonight
Extensive damage was caused to the three trains in the terrorist attacks as well as to tracks, although no sections of tunnel had collapsed, said Transport for London.
Circle and Hammersmith & City line services, which remained suspended today, will be resuming within days.
But TfL added: "We do not expect services on the central section of the Piccadilly line to be restored for several weeks."
TfL said it would not be able to identify the extent of the damage until access was gained to the three sites and structural surveys undertaken.
The criminal investigation was taking precedence, but TfL said it would work hard to get services back to normal when it got control of the system.
One London Underground employee was injured in the explosions and is in a "critical" condition, it was revealed.
A number of Tube stations were temporarily closed today because of unattended items, prompting TfL to urge travellers to be extra careful not to leave belongings on trains or at stations.
"Extra security checks are in place but passengers should remain vigilant and question any suspect items or behaviour and immediately inform Tube staff or the police," said a statement.
Tim O'Toole, managing director of London Underground, said: "This was the worst terrorist attack in the history of London Underground.
"Innocent individuals travelling to work or going about their normal daily business lost their lives on a system they trusted to get them about London. Hundreds others were injured.
"My deepest condolences and those of all Underground staff are with the friends and families of all those killed and injured.
"I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all London Underground staff for their heroic response to yesterday's atrocities.
"Prior to the arrival of the emergency services they had to work in the most appalling and difficult of situations that most of us will thankfully never experience.
"The magnificent and calm response shown by passengers also helped to make a very difficult situation better.
"With three million passengers a day the difficulty in today's global security climate is striking the balance between running a mass transit service and introducing security measures that prevent people travelling in London.
"In conjunction with the police, we are reviewing our current security arrangements and will introduce new measures if they so request."
