The Night Tube will start running again next month, Transport for London has announced.

But only two lines will be running, nearly two years since Covid-19 brought trains to a halt past midnight.

Services on the Central and Victoria lines will run throughout the night on Fridays and Saturdays from November 27.

Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition demanding services resume to help protect women and girls.

With almost 150,000 signatures, the petition calling for the imminent reinstatement of Night Tube services has achieve its goal.

It was set up following the deaths of Sabina Nessa and Sarah Everard, with a proposed action of getting suspended Night Tube services reinstated this winter.

However, the night Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Overground services will not return until next year.

Full services cannot start operating until a deal is reached between all of the transport unions and TfL over what hours, pay and conditions will be in place.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The reason why I was so keen to be the first Mayor in London’s history to start the Night Tube in 2016 and to restart it now, after the Covid pause, is because I know how important this is to London’s thriving night-time economy.

"It is vital to London’s recovery and to the confidence and safety of everyone travelling home at night, particularly women and girls.

"I am determined to make our city as safe as possible for all Londoners.

“That’s why I’m delighted to see the return of the Victoria and Central Night Tube lines next month.

"It will make a huge difference to people travelling around our city at night and making their way home, offering them an additional safe, reliable transport option. I will continue to work with TfL and the Government to do everything we can to bring back the full Night Tube network as soon as possible.”

But the return of two lines is “too little, too late” businesses and campaigners say.

Simon Thomas, chief executive of the Hippodrome casino on Leicester Square, says this should have happened in the summer.

He told the Evening Standard: “You wait months for one night tube to arrive and only half the service turns up.

“Business owners are working all hours to get the West End back on its feet and women travellers demand additional protection for their evening journeys.

"It’s time to listen to the people who live and work in the West End and reinstate the full night time tube service immediately.”