Mayor Must Introduce 24hr Inspections On Tube Tracks

12.00.00am GMT Tue 28th Oct 2003

Commenting on the Emergency Transport meeting being held today by Mayor Livingstone and the £50million black hole in London Underground finances, Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes MP said:-

"There must be the immediate introduction of 24-hour inspection regime in place on all lines. It must also be clear that the inspection responsibilities lie with Transport for London and not with Metronet or Tubelines.

"It is essential that the Mayor grasps this opportunity to make safety and reliability his top priority. The Mayor must realise it is the passenger who is suffering derailments and delays from years of hold-ups in putting much needed money into the Tube.

"The Mayor and his TfL colleagues must ensure there is more investment in specialist ultra sound equipment so that the public can have the confidence to travel on the Tube and stop the rot in declining passenger numbers."