District line: Weekend Closure of Barons Court to Cause Major Disruption Across West London
Passengers on the District line are facing major travel disruption later this month as Barons Court station is set to shut down for an entire weekend due to critical renovation work.
From 10pm on Friday, July 18 until the end of service on Sunday, July 20, no trains will run between Barons Court and Ealing Broadway. Services to Richmond will also be suspended, cutting off several major stops, including Hammersmith and Kew Gardens. And it doesn’t stop there—Piccadilly line trains towards Heathrow Airport and Cockfosters will also be out of action during the same period.
A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson confirmed: “The work has to be done when trains are not running. We recognise this can be disruptive.”
In an attempt to ease the blow, replacement buses will be running throughout the weekend, mainly operating around West Kensington. However, TfL has warned that these will be limited, urging travellers to plan ahead or seek alternative routes where possible.
This disruption follows other recent issues on the line. For the latest on previous incidents, read District line delays after serious track incident.
This disruption forms part of a much larger overhaul at Barons Court station—a project that began earlier this year. Originally opened in 1905, the Edwardian-era station is undergoing a two-year restoration, with much of its infrastructure now described as “nearing the end of its useful life.”
The upcoming work will involve cutting away and replacing parts of the platforms, restoring the canopies above the stairwells, and reinforcing the cast iron columns.
Drainage is also being upgraded, and the original glazing is being deep-cleaned or replaced as needed.
TfL has reassured passengers and local residents that this project is being carried out with great care and attention to the building’s unique heritage.
“All work will be done with heritage in mind, and every element will be restored to its previous state,” said the spokesperson.
“This will include repainting the station in the original heritage District line colour scheme of green and cream.”
Despite the disruption, many believe the long-term benefits of the refurbishment will be worth the wait. With over 5.2 million passengers using Barons Court annually, the improvements are expected to enhance both safety and experience.
Still, for now, commuters are advised to brace for a weekend of delays, detours, and a bit of patience.
