An architecture firm wants to turn the London Underground’s entire Circle Line

The Circle Line is an endless source of frustration for workers and commuters travelling around London.

The proposed SkyCycle concept, with elevated cycle paths above London’s railways.

Then there was “Thames Deckway” – a floating cycle lane on the Thames.

Delays on the Circle Line tube may soon be a thing of the past – as architects suggest getting rid of the trains.

The Circle Line is perceived as being the slowest and least reliable of the city’s network, but the ambitious proposals claim that the conversion to three differently configured travelators would at least match current commuting times.

Britain’s first travelator was installed at Bank station 55 years ago.

Such a continuously moving sidewalk would let you jump on and off it at any given time, and should prevent rush hour traffic issues, as commuters wouldn’t have to wait for trains.

The firm has also envisioned how there could be various stalls and advertisements placed along the travelators. Based on these speeds, plus an average 3mph walking speed, passengers would get to their destination just as quickly as they would on a Circle Line train (which reach speeds of 20 mph), especially as the walkways wouldn’t need to slow or stop at stations.

It’s unlikely that the Circle line (or any of the Underground lines) will ever be replaced by a moving walkway; the amount of work required and the disruption caused would be untenable.