A major London Underground improvement scheme is expanding to Amersham – with a new signal equipment room, up to 30-metres long, set to be built near the station.

Bucks commuters are expected to experience fewer delays and quicker journey times following the completion of Amersham’s section of the Four Lines Modernisation scheme.

London Underground is in the middle of a major overhaul of the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines in a bid to increase train capacity and run a more reliable service.

Work on the new signal room in Rectory Hill will start next month, with the dozens of parking spaces along the road due to be out of use while the construction takes place.

Speaking at a meeting of Amersham Town Council (ATC) on Monday, September 17, London Underground’s David Watkins said: “We do take a number of parking bays. There are approximately 30 parking bays extended along the east side of Rectory Hill in order for us to safely manage our logistics.

“We have as best we can, been talking with the council, knowing what’s going on, I know it is a big issue taking away parking. But we have tried to co-ordinate best we can with the new multi-storey car park.”

Amersham Town Councillors raises concerns the town’s “parking problem” will be exacerbated by the temporary removal of the spaces, as the new multi-storey in King George V Street will not be opened until November.

However Mr Watkins said it is expected the spaces will be back in use once the construction of the signal room is completed in the spring.

He also admitted the new scheme would be of “less benefit” to Amersham commuters than those in London, as fewer trains travel to the outskirts of the city.

However he remained confident the new fleet of trains introduced as part of the scheme will allow space for more commuters and the new signalling system will provide a “more reliable” service.

Mr Watkins added: “The existing system its life has expired, so the new system is more reliable.

“It ultimately leans on to ATC which is automatic train control, so there is the provision ultimately for trains that won’t have drivers like docklands rail.

“The system is robust, it’s tried, it’s tested. The reliability will go up.”

However councillor for Amersham on the Hill, Nigel Shepherd, branded the system “overkill” for Amersham – as four trains an hour leave the station.