Piccadilly Line hit by signal failure and fire alert — check before you travel
16 August 2026 · By Boroughly editorial — AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
The Piccadilly Line has had a difficult day. An earlier signal failure at Cockfosters caused severe delays across the line, and a separate fire alert at Arnos Grove later led to a suspension of services between Hammersmith and Cockfosters eastbound, and between Cockfosters and King's Cross St Pancras westbound. For Chiswick residents using the line at Hammersmith, this has meant significant disruption.
During the disruptions, TfL confirmed that tickets were being accepted on London Buses, the Elizabeth line, Great Northern, the Weaver line and South Western Railway — all useful alternatives for reaching central London or Heathrow.
As of the most recent update, the situation remains fluid. Services were recovering but severe delays were still in place on parts of the line. If you are planning to travel today, checking the live TfL status page immediately before setting off is strongly advised. The Elizabeth line from Ealing Broadway remains the most reliable fast route into Paddington and the City.