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Commuters and travellers heading into London are being urged to plan their journeys as a section of one of the busiest tube lines closes today for the next 17 weeks.
Major work is beginning on the Northern Line with popular underground stations Bank and London Bridge among those set to be heavily affected by the shutdown.
Transport for London is warning customers heading to the capital either for work or pleasure that they will need to monitor their journeys carefully.
If possible, people are being asked to travel at quieter times as the work is set to terminate services at a number of stations and, as a result, make other tube stations and lines "exceptionally busy".
The four-month long closure is to allow for improvements at Bank to increase the station's capacity, provide step-free access and make journeys easier.
But the extent of the work and the layout of the tube network means that the Northern Line, on the Bank branch of the line, is to be closed between Kennington and Moorgate.
It means there will be no Northern Line service at Bank, London Bridge, Borough and Elephant and Castle until the middle of May alongside a reduced service between Camden Town and Moorgate.
There will be extra tube services and a new bus route to compensate for the closure, including an enhanced service with a train at least every two minutes on the Charing Cross side of the Northern Line.
Despite the additional options, TfL says many stations across central London will be under pressure until mid-May.
TfL is asking customers to travel at quieter times or use alternative routes during the extensive closure.
Quieter times on tube and rail services are currently between 8.45am and 4.30pm, say transport officials, and after 6.45pm during the week.
Travellers can also check how busy stations they wish to use are using the TfL website's Journey Planner service or via the TfL Go app.
Andy Lord, managing director of London Underground, said: “We’re asking customers to consider taking journeys at a different time or via a different route, using alternate Tube lines or rail, bus, walking or cycling options.
"We’re introducing an increased service on the Charing Cross branch and a new bus route into the City, which will help people to get around during the closure.
“The Bank Station Capacity Upgrade will be an important boost for the City of London and the capital in general, after a difficult period.
"We understand the changes may be frustrating for customers, but would like to reassure them that this work is important and will bring many benefits.
"In addition, we will use this closure as an opportunity to improve other stations as well as carry out maintenance to minimise future disruption.”
Full travel advice ahead of the closure is available by clicking here.