Severe delays on the Metropolitan line due to a new signalling system is causing widespread complaints.

From Wembley Park, reporter Joseph Reaidi saw mass crowds at the station as journeys between Wembley Park and Aldgate suffered severe delays, with minor delays at the rest of the line.

Many commuters were clearly rushing in anger to get to work and other destinations, after facing many morning cancellations on the Metropolitan line, including the 06:05, 06:37, 07:33 and 08:03 to Aldgate.

The station was also crowded with many school children, as schools open again this week.  The delays are expected to last until the end of the week.

A spokesperson from TfL has clarified that the delays seen this week are due to new signal systems running for the first time which “requires a bit of bedding in.”

He said: “The issue is becoming less every day and should be resolved soon. This won’t be a recurring issue for the Met line as we introduce new areas, and once we’ve worked through the next few days, it won’t come back up in this area.”

The new signalling system being implemented in the Metropolitan line is part of a wider project titled the ‘Four Lines Modernisation’ Programme which aims to transform the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines by 2023.

With parts of these lines dating back to 1863, the modernisation of these lines will allow 192 modern air-conditioned walk-through S-stock trains, new tracks with improved drainage systems and a new signalling system which will eventually allow trains to be driven automatically.

The TfL spokesperson also claimed that works on the signalling system could not have been scheduled before or after the first week at school as “this would only delay the overall project in four years.”

Some commuters have taken their complaints to Twitter:

Stuart Harvey, Director of Major Projects for TfL, said: “I apologise to customers who may be affected by disruption while the new signalling system on the Metropolitan line beds in, following complex engineering work this weekend.

“Our staff are working hard to minimise delays. The project to upgrade the Circle, District, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines will transform the journeys of hundreds of thousands of people every day. Introducing new signalling on the Metropolitan line is a significant step forward for the project.”

The work to install new signalling and control system began in summer 2016 and by 2023, there will be faster journeys with reduced waiting times, fewer delays and increased comfort during travels on these lines.