Customers on the Transport for London (TfL) network are losing
over 800,000 hours each week on average so far in 2026-27 due to
issues with deteriorating assets.[1]
TfL estimates that its renewals backlog which includes issues
with tracks, trains and signals - has reached £6.5
billion[2] and is
projected to increase under current funding assumptions.[3]
Issues with underground tracks requiring renewal are causing
significant financial pressures. The scale of the track renewals
backlog is estimated at over £3.2 billion[4] and there are
reports that 42 per cent of track has been classified by TfL as
being in "very poor" condition and a further 17 per cent is in a
poor condition.[5]
The London Assembly Budget and Performance
Committee has today written to the
Mayor, calling on TfL to publish a clear strategy for preventing
further growth in the capital renewals backlog and to return key
assets to a sustainable state of good repair, in its 2027-28
Budget submission to in November.
AM, Chairman of the London
Assembly Budget and Performance Committee,
said:
Deteriorating assets are making TfL services less reliable every
year, leaving Londoners and visitors trying to get around the
capital to suffer ever more stressful and uncertain journeys.
With 42% of TfL's track classed as very poor condition and a
further 17% in poor condition, TfL customers are losing over
800,000 hours per week on average this year. We need urgent
action.
Worryingly, even if the money to fix the £6.5 billion backlog
arrived tomorrow, it would likely take at least a decade to
complete the work, meaning these reliability problems are set to
continue."
The consequences of underinvestment include congestion, slower
journeys, road restrictions, reduced accessibility and reduced
reliability.
The longer we allow TfL assets to deteriorate, the greater
economic impact it will have on our city.
With the Mayor's 2027-28 budget on the way, we must see progress
from TfL and the Mayor to ensure funding is in place to reduce
this £6.5bn figure. This will allow for improvements in service
reliability, boost passenger numbers and generate additional fare
revenue, allowing TfL to reinvest in and enhance the services
available to London.
Notes for editors:
- TfL, TfL's Capital Renewals, 29
July 2026
- MQT, TfL Capital Renewals (1),
27 May 2026
- GLA, GLA 2026-27 Budget, P46,
February 2026
- TfL, TfL's Capital Renewals, 29
July 2026
- TfL, London Underground and
Elizabeth line Renewals, 8 October 2025
