COMMUTERS who use the Central Line have had to find alternative ways of getting to work as the line remain closed until further notice following Saturday's derailment near Chancery Lane station.

The Tube line, which serves eight stations across the borough, was forced to close after Saturday's crash.

A statement issued by the Health and Safety Executive said: "Initial indications are that the derailment was caused by a traction motor falling from beneath the train onto the track."

Part of London Underground's internal investigation into the derailment would focus on the "rumour" that Tube bosses had been aware for months that bolts securing the motors had a tendency to loosen, the LU spokesman said.

London Underground also refuted claims that the driver of the train involved in Saturday's derailment had been suspended. In a written statement a spokesman said: The driver, along with all his other Central Line colleagues, is not working at the moment because the line is closed while we check the 85-strong fleet of trains for any possible safety defects.

"The driver is being supported in every way possible by London Underground. He was badly shocked by the accident and is at home recovering. He is helping with the investigation into the cause of the accident."

The Central Line and Waterloo and City lines may be reopened sometime next week, with one section of the line expected to be closed for several weeks.

A spokesman for LU said: "It now looks unlikely that we will be able to run any services on the Central and Waterloo and City Lines for the rest of this week at least, following Saturday's derailment and possibly into next week."

The derailment threw the train against the tunnel wall shattering windows and injuring 32 passengers.

Of the 800 passengers on the train the worst injury sustained was a broken leg, the spokeswoman said.

The disruption is likely to go on for several weeks.

January 30, 2003 09:00