TRADERS in West Hampstead have been dealt a huge blow after a Transport for London report revealed engineering work on the Jubilee line is likely to continue into next year. Weekend closures of the line to allow the works to take place were due to end in

TRADERS in West Hampstead have been dealt a huge blow after a Transport for London report revealed engineering work on the Jubilee line is likely to continue into next year.

Weekend closures of the line to allow the works to take place were due to end in December but a report released on Tuesday said there were "grave doubts" over Tube Lines and contractors Bechtel's ability to finish the work on time.

TfL's annual report revealed the concerns as Mayor Boris Johnson branded any delay as "unacceptable"

The news came as traders in West Hampstead passed the 150 signature mark on a petition asking TfL to urgently review the ongoing weekend closures they say are ruining their businesses.

The petition states: "We live and work here and we need these rail services - at weekends as well as weekdays - the closures for weekend after weekend, month after month, is damaging our businesses, livelihoods and our community."

Camden council is also doing a consultation about upgrading the area between the Thameslink and the Underground stations in West Hampstead and has been criticised by the traders group.

They say the council has failed to take into account Network Rail's plans for redeveloping the Thameslink station and there is no proper communication between the council and the transport bodies.

The council denied any lack of communication and Tube Lines said it wasn't expecting the Jubilee line works to be delayed.