It will be another fortnight before even a basic service can run on the Central Line following the Chancery Lane derailment, tube chiefs said today.

London Underground initially said the line would be closed for two or three days after the crash last Saturday which left 32 people injured.

Then LU bosses put it back until the end of this week.

Now London Underground has said another two weeks' work is needed after inspections by engineers found the crash was probably caused by a motor shearing away from securing bolts, hitting the track and derailing the train.

Fatique was the most likely cause of the bolt failure, compounded by a safety bracket failing, safety inspections have found.

London Underground yesterday admitted they have known about the problem with the Central Line's rolling stock for more than two years.

New-style 'Rotabolts' will be installed in every one of the 2,800 train motors on 700 carriages on the Central and Waterloo and City lines, with each installation taking two hours - a total of 5,600 hours work.

London Underground yesterday admitted they have known about the problem with the Central Line's rolling stock for more than two years.

London Underground managing director Paul Godier said: "When fatique is suspected to have played a part in any airline accident the procedure is to ground the fleet, check for similar flaws, replace or redesign the parts and only when there is certainty that there is no likelihood of a similar incident will services resume.

"Exactly the same applies here. We will not think about a resumption of even a limited service until there is absolute confidence that we have a sound case to put to safety inspectors."

The resumed service is initally planned for the Waterloo and City line on about Thursday, February 13. Further limited services are planned to be gradually reintroduced on the Central Line, beginning with a shuttle service on the eastern section of the Central Line linking into Stratford.

January 30, 2003 13:00