Improvement works to the northern section of the Metropolitan line will begin next weekend (August 19) as part of Transport for London's (TfL'S) £10bn Investment Programme to improve and expand London's transport network.New track will speed up Metropolitan line journeys

Some of the oldest track on the network between Amersham and Moor Park will be replaced at 16 separate sites, which will bring better reliability and faster journeys for customers.

The work will be carried out by Metronet Rail, using new engineering trains which have the most up-to-date track-laying equipment on board, on five weekends between now and Christmas when track closures and service suspensions will be required.

Angela Back, General Manager, Metropolitan line, said: "This track work is really good news for the Metropolitan line and will bring noticeable changes to the service. Some track sections in the northern part of the line will be replaced, with passengers soon benefiting from a quicker and more reliable service as a result. These essential works have been timed to cause the minimum disruption to passengers and we ask them to bear with us but check before travelling at the weekend. A rail replacement bus service will operate along the affected route."

During the closures there will be no Metropolitan line services between Moor Park and Amersham; Chalfont & Latimer and Chesham and no fast services north of Harrow-on-the-Hill. Some Chiltern Railways services will also be affected.

Weekend work is expected to continue into 2007.