The programme of temporary closures for engineering work had been criticised by local politicians as well as by the management of venues such as Wembley Stadium and The O2 because visitors to major concerts and sporting events have had to travel by rail replacement bus.
Lukningsprogrammet blev kritiseret af lokalpolitikere, så vel som bestyrere af sports- og spillesteder som Wembley Stadium og The O2, da besøgende til store koncerter og sportsbegivenheder skulle rejse med togbusser.