TRAVELLERS have reacted with shock to news of Wanstead tube station's summer shutdown.

Earlier this week the Guardian exclusively reported how the busy transport hub will close from Monday June 22 until the end of August 2009 while 'modernisation' works are carried out.

It will also shut at 9pm every night from September until mid-October.

But the news has been greeted with dismay by young and old alike, with many questioning why the station needs to be closed full-time while the works are carried out.

Here are just some of the views from residents:

Leisha Wemyss, 35, of Herongate Road, Wanstead

“It will be a total nightmare. There just isn’t a viable alternative for me.

“My husband and I both work in the city and we drop our children off at 8am for childcare and pick them up again at 6pm after work.

"As it is we only just make it in time, but now we’ll have to make some arrangement with our work places to come in later otherwise we won’t be able to cope.”

Sheila Bates, 66, of Tennyson Avenue, Wanstead

“There’s going to be a lot of nuisance for a lot of people. Going to Snaresbrook instead will be difficult for people who can’t walk very well.

“It’s bad enough as it is with them working on the Central Line at weekends.”

Greengrocer James Vandepeer, 47, of Wanstead High Street

“I suppose, and hope, they know what they’re doing but it’s going to cause a lot of aggravation.

“And the shops here get a lot of passing trade from the station, so they will be affected badly by it as well.”

Chris Wilkins, 14, from Blake Hall Road, Wanstead

“It’s going to be quite annoying - it will probably make me go out into London less, I’ll be limited where I can get to easily.

“If it is for improvements perhaps will be a good thing but most people here will be very annoyed.”

Silvio Croci, 78, is from East Finchley but regularly uses the station

“If they’ve got to do repairs and works what can you do? It will be inconvenient but people have got to be safe.

“It’s like when they dig up the roads for repairs. It gets in everyone's way but you have to get on with it.”

Wanstead High School student Ellie Draper, 15

“How are we meant to get anywhere? If they have to do this it should be in the winter when people won’t want to go into London as much.”

Fellow student Lucy Kinch, 15

“Or why can’t they close it in the evening like they plan to in the autumn? I don’t see why it should shut all day long.”

Paul Donovan, 46, of Dangan Road, Wanstead

“They say it will be finished by November but I’ll believe it when I see it.

“The question that has to be asked is why in the 21st century must it be shut down for this length of time?

“There just doesn’t seem to be a great deal of co-ordination at TfL.”

The works, part of the London Underground Investment Programme, will see a new station control room installed at the transport hub, along with an upgrading of CCTV systems, an "improved" PA system, help points and new electronic information boards.

Major structural works, including the demolition of a large concrete slab which overhangs the top of the station escalators, will also be carried out.

A TfL spokesman added: “Customers are advised to use nearby Leytonstone, Snaresbrook and Redbridge stations which are approximately a 10 to 15 minute walk away.

“Regular bus services serve Wanstead station, with the 66 and 145 bus routes following the Central line between Redbridge and Leytonstone stations. London Underground tickets will be accepted on all local bus routes.”

The works are scheduled to be completed by November.