By Charlotte Webster-
The UK government has announced a significant £250 million investment in London’s public transport network for the upcoming year.
RTP honourable Mark Harper MP made the announcement to House Of Commons Today.
Transport for London (TfL) has welcomed the funding, which comes after the Department for Transport (DfT) revealed the level of support for vital projects, including the provision of new Tube trains for the Piccadilly line.
Despite TfL’s initial request for £500 million annually and a longer-term deal, the approved package is restricted for use on capital projects and cannot be allocated to day-to-day operations. This financial shortfall raises concerns about TfL’s ability to proceed with proposed upgrades and extensions, notably the Bakerloo line.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper attributed the financial constraints to “poor governance and decision-making” by the Greater London Authority (GLA) under Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Harper emphasized the Conservative Government’s commitment to supporting London’s transport system, stating, “This Conservative Government is providing London’s transport system with a £250 million boost following on from billions of support in recent years.”
He criticized the GLA’s management of TfL, expressing disappointment that London taxpayers have to bear the consequences of what he described as poor governance and decision-making. Harper endorsed Susan Hall as the next Conservative Mayor of London, emphasizing the need for a leader who can balance the books without overburdening motorists or relying on taxpayer support.
In response, Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed relief at the one-year capital funding deal, enabling crucial upgrades to the transport network, including improvements to the Piccadilly line.
Khan highlighted the importance of reaching a long-term funding settlement from the government to plan and invest in the infrastructure London needs for the future.
Transport Commissioner Andy Lord acknowledged the agreement, emphasizing TfL’s efforts to reduce costs and rebuild ridership post-pandemic. While the capital support is welcomed, Lord acknowledged that reassessing the recent draft business plan and addressing the impact of the funding shortfall would be necessary.
Rail minister Huw Merriman emphasized the positive impact the agreement will have on Londoners and taxpayers, supporting projects that sustain skilled manufacturing jobs in the rail sector.
London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, expressed gratitude for the support, noting that a reassessment of the draft business plan is underway to confirm the upcoming projects for London.
Ben Curtis from the Campaign for Better Transport acknowledged that the settlement ensures the wheels keep turning but expressed concerns about keeping London on a short leash, emphasizing the broader impact on the country’s economy.