REPORT FAILS TO ADDRESS INDEPENDENT POWER SUPPLY NEEDS OF THE TUBE

1.30.06pm GMT Thu 11th Dec 2003

Commenting on the final report by TfL into the black out on the London Tube on the 28th August 2003, Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes MP said:-

"London Underground's Report into the power black out makes it clear that poor communication led to 18,200 people were stuck below ground for up to two hours.

"If it had been known that power could be restored quite quickly, we could avoided a situation where the Tube was effectively out of action for the whole night.

"As so often London Underground needs to get its act together.

The Network Control Centre needs sorting out. The fundamental issue as to whether the Tube network needs its own independent power supply is critically not addressed in this report and must be urgently reviewed.

"Londoners need to be assured that procedures are in place so that London can cope should there be a similar or more serious incident in the future."

ENDS

Notes to editor

A copy of the report can be found at:-

http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/content/about/report/03_report_powerfailure.pdf