• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • Twitter

Labour: Boris’s lack of focus has condemned Tube passengers to years of “overcrowded services”

August 3, 2015 - Martin Hoscik@MayorWatch

Labour say responsibility for the delay rests with Mayor Boris Johnson.
Labour say responsibility for the delay rests with Mayor Boris Johnson.
Labour says Tube users will be condemned to years of “over-stretched” and “overcrowded services” because of what they describe as Boris Johnson’s “abject failure” to focus on a key network upgrade.

Tube bosses are set to spend millions boosting capacity on the District, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines to ensure the network can cope with increasing demand and London’s growing population.

Key to the project is a new signalling system which was originally meant to be installed by Bombardier by 2018.

LU last year cancelled the contract citing concerns about Bombardier’s ability to deliver on its promises and opened discussions with rivals Thales.

On Monday London Underground Managing Director Nick Brown confirmed the works would not now be complete until 2022 but insisted there was “a very clear delivery plan and timetable for the work and, as we have done with the modernisation of the Northern line, we will keep London moving and growing as we do it.”

He added: “In parallel, we will continue to deliver a better, more reliable service every day which builds on the work over recent years to reduce delays to their lowest ever level.”

However Labour says confirmation of the four year delay means Londoners will continue to endure crowded rush hour trains and claim the blame rests with Mayor Boris Johnson.

Val Shawcross, the party’s transport spokesperson at City Hall, said: “After eight years, the Mayor has failed to complete what is not only the most cost efficient upgrade to the London Underground, but the most beneficial to commuters and London’s economy. 

“The tube upgrade should have topped the Mayor’s list of priorities, but his abject failure to stay focused now means that paying passengers will be left to contend with yet another five years of over-stretched services.”

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

RECENT UPDATES

852 new homes to be built in Acton by Transport for London

HGV operators in London urged to apply for a Direct Vision Standard permit

TfL proposes bus and tube cuts and annual fares increases to achieve long-term financial sustainability

London’s entire bus fleet now meets ULEZ emissions standards




Popular

1,700 extra Santander Cycles are coming to London’s streets

TfL confirms changes to Older Person’s Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card hours

TfL fares to rise in return for £1.6bn Government rescue package

Election for Mayor of London and London Assembly postponed until 2021

FEATURED

City Hall to move to Docklands as Mayor seeks to raise £55m for frontline services

‘Concern’ over TfL’s ability to deliver major projects in wake of Crossrail cost overruns

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 MayorWatch Publications Limited · MayorWatch is Registered Trademark · All Rights Reserved · Contact Us · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

MayorWatch Publications Limited · 20-22 Wenlock Road · London N1 7GU · Company Number 6291816

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.