SCRAP C-CHARGE EXTENSION TO BEEF UP SECURITY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT

12.01.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 14th Sep 2005

Ahead of the Mayor's Question Time (Wednesday 14th September), the London Assembly Liberal Democrats will today call for an extra £55million to improve security on London's transport network that would be funded by scrapping the money that has been earmarked to expand the proposed westward extension of the Congestion Charge.

In his budget for the financial year 2005/06, the Mayor proposed to spend around £73million to pay for the westward extension of the Congestion Charge even before the proposals have even formally been agreed. Following the atrocities in July, the Liberal Democrats will call on the Mayor to recognise the change in London's needs and invest the money proposed for the westward extension in beefing up security on public transport across the capital.

Commenting on the proposals, London Assembly Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson, Geoff Pope, said:-

"The threat of terrorism has not, and will not, go away. Our emergency services have done a magnificent job but we must also urgently learn what additional steps we can practically take to respond to the terrorist threat and protect Londoners in the event of another atrocity.

"The events of the last few months have radically altered the needs of London. There must be extra investment put into tightening up security on London's public transport system to regain the confidence of the travelling public.

"This will not come cheaply, but by scrapping the westward extension of the Congestion Charge, London would be able to afford to invest the extra resources into security without hitting the pockets of the capital's hard pressed taxpayers.

"Sensible and affordable steps must be learnt and taken by Ministers, the Mayor and the Met to ensure that London can remain a safe place to live, work and visit."

ENDS

Notes to editor

· Mayor's Question Time will be held at City Hall at 10am on Wednesday 14th September 2005

1818 / 2005 - More Police and PCSOs

Geoff Pope

In view of the security situation and the need to provide maximum protection for Londoners as they go about their daily lives, would not the £73 million you are spending this year on the western extension to the congestion charge be better spent on putting more police and community safety officers on to London's public transport system?

In his budget of 2004/05 Mr Livingstone allocated £73million to the westward extension of the Congestion Charge. The results of the consultation have yet to be published.