A long serving Underground station supervisor is swapping the sounds of the underground for a new career in music.

Adrian Fraser, who turns 50 in July, has worked at Colliers Wood Underground Station since 1988 and has been offered early retirement in the wake of the Transport for London’s decision to close ticket offices.

Wimbledon Times:

While he admits there is much he will miss about the job, in particular “the people”, he is looking forward to turning his passion for singing and producing music into a new recording career.

Mr Fraser, who hangs up his uniform for good on May 6, reflected on his time at London Underground and Colliers Wood.

He said: “I joined in 1984, when I was 18, and over the years I’ve been a railman, a ticket collector, a foreman, signalman and supervisor. I’ve done everything apart from driving the trains – which is ironic as when I started that was what I wanted to do.

“I’ve no regrets though. I’m not sure driving would have been challenging enough for me. I always put in 100 per cent in everything I do.

“My duties as supervisor of Colliers Wood are more than people might expect. I’m in charge of running the whole station, the staff, technical problems – if there are any emergencies or suicides – I’m responsible. Some of the experiences I’ve had would sound like a script from a film.

“One thing I’ve discovered is to expect the unexpected in this job.”

Mr Fraser recalls he has had to contend with one person armed with a gun and another with a knife and once somebody released CS gas.

He added: “Once we had an actual live bomb outside the station but thankfully it didn’t go off. I’m first aid trained and there have been times when I’ve had to step in and try to save people while the ambulance is on its way.

“Once I saw somebody collapsed outside and went to their aid only to hear somebody shout ‘cut, cut’. I saw a camera crew and it turned out they were filming an episode of The Bill. The decided to re-shoot the scene and keep me in it – I’ve still got that on video.”

The familiar face at the station holds the record for the longest serving supervisor at Colliers Wood, and he will be given a send off by his employers who are doing a presentation for him at their London headquarters on Friday, May 6.

He says he will miss the interactions with the public the most and the friends he has made in the job, from colleagues to local traders. But he won’t miss the 5am starts, he added.

Mr Fraser is a singer, keyboard and bass player, and a DJ, outside of hours and is looking forward to having more time to spend on his music. To listen to his music visit www.soundclick.com/adrianfraseruk