Delays have fallen on the London Underground despite criticism of the Central line service.

Transport for London (TfL) figures show delays on the tube have fallen compared to the same period last year. 

Figures for this year from May 25 to June 21, and June 21 to July 19, show that delays on the tube fell by 8 per cent and 20 per cent respectively, compared to the same periods for last year. 

These figures come less than two weeks after commuters were left "stranded" at Leytonstone station when the services on the Central line were suspended in the morning of October 2.

Hundreds of people were left on platforms and outside the station where arguments broke out and some people are reported to have fainted.

British Transport Police were called in to for "crowd management" after delays and cancellations to services were caused by a damaged track at Chancery Lane station.

Chris Taggart, general manager of the Central line, apologised for the disruption and an investigation was launched into the issues.

Figures released today show drops in delays despite the amount of passengers increasing by a third over the past ten years.

In the financial year of 2013/14 the underground carried 1.265 billion passengers.

On the new figures, TfL said the drop in delays was due to a programme of modernisation, with major stations, trains, track and signalling being updated or replaced.

Phil Hufton, LU’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Demand for tube services has never been greater which is why our drive to improve reliability is vital.

“Customers have already benefited from the upgrades of Jubilee and Victoria lines and work is well underway to modernise the Northern, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.

“It is all part of a continuing programme to modernise the tube with major improvements to stations, trains, track and signalling, which will provide more capacity for the growth of London."