Petition to restore full Olympia Tube link tops 10,000 signatures

A CAMPAIGN to restore a full service on the one-stop Earl’s Court to Kensington Olympia Tube line has reached a new landmark.

A petition by Connect Kensington Olympia has topped 10,000 signatures in protest over the decision by Transport for London seven years ago to reduce service due to low passenger numbers.

But campaigners, who include Hammersmith Labour MP Andy Slaughter, councillors, businesses and residents, say an increased Tube service on the line would both improve air quality and ease congestion in the area.

The petition is also supported by Olympia London, which welcomes 1.6 million visitors to its venue each year and has the backing of some of the biggest event industry organisers.

Campaigners say a restored service would “immediately remove” 5,700 round bus trips between Earl’s Court and Olympia London.

“It would also lower demand for taxis and private-hire vehicles, delivering immediate air quality benefits to the area,” said a spokesman.

Nigel Nathan, managing director at Olympia London, said: “Restoring usage of the District line branch is important to both members of our local community and visitors to our exhibitions, who would benefit from a more regular service.”

Mr Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith, said: “There is a strong case for restoring a full District line Tube service. Footfall to Olympia London alone has risen since the District line was suspended in 2011, from 700,000 visitors a year to three million now.”

Residents and businesses opposed the removal of Kensington Olympia’s full Tube service in 2011. At present Kensington Olympia runs a limited London Overground service.