FIVE MONTH TUBE LINE SHUTDOWN GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR METRONET TO SHOW ITS METTLE

12.51.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 27th Sep 2005

Commenting on the announcement by Transport for London that they are set to close the Waterloo and City line for five months so that Metronet can undertake engineering work, Liberal Democrat London Assembly transport spokesperson, Geoff Pope, said:-

"This is a welcome step towards getting the Tube back on track. This shutdown will ensure that the travelling public will not have to face an eighteen month water torture of delay and disruption. Instead Tube users will face a short, sharp shock to their travelling routine that in the long term will provide massive long term benefits to their commute.

"Following the recent appointment of a new Chief Exec at Metronet, Londoners must hope these changes will bring about the needed improvements to the company's effectiveness in maintaining and upgrading London's Tube system. This closure will give Metronet the chance to prove they have changed for the better.

"Our Tube needs a maintenance regime which is super-efficient if we are ever to overcome the legacy of under-investment by successive governments. These may well be the first hopeful signs."

ENDS

The Waterloo and City line will shutdown for 5 months from the 1st April 2006