Mayor Must Introduce 24 hour Inspections On Tube Tracks - Hughes

1.02.26pm GMT Tue 28th Oct 2003

London Underground Tube Train approaching a platform

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."

ENDS

Richard Stokoe

Senior Liberal Democrat Press Officer for Simon Hughes MP Mayoral Campaign tel. 020 7227 1236 mobile 0772 08 38 351 fax 020 7227 1313 pager 07659 114613.