Emily backs safer London stations

7th February 2006

Emily Thornberry welcomed the budget proposals of the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone for 2006/07. The proposals include funding for an additional 89 British Transport Police covering London. They will be deployed on the North London Line in particular.

On more police on overground stations & Silverlink’s responsibilities, Emily said:

‘People don’t feel safe at our overground stations. Caledonian Rd and Barnsbury is particularly dingy and desolate. I am really pleased that Ken is proposing to increase policing on stations such as these. But Silverlink is not off the hook. They must ensure that their overground stations are properly staffed and tickets issued and collected.

 I use the service with my family to go to Hampstead Heath, Camden Lock,  all the way round to Kew Gardens in one direction and in the other to Greenwich. Far too often we can’t even buy a ticket. The machines don’t work and there is no-one to help.  It is not good enough to leave my constituents fending for themselves at their stations.

 The North London Line has the potential to be a great and useful service. Instead we are being let down badly. The murder of Tom ap Rhys Price close to unstaffed Kensal Green station showed that more needs to be done to make our overground stations safe.”

On safer stations and neighbourhoods Ken Livingstone said:

 ‘Although I have no direct control over staffing these stations - unlike London Underground stations - we have looked at the Transport for London budget to find extra support to the British Transport Police at over-ground rail stations across London, including Silverlink stations. I have consistently criticised the fact that these stations are not staffed when the public are using them but I am not content to wait for them to be transferred to me - I will do what I can this year from my budget to get a more visible and reassuring presence on these London stations.
Once the Silverlink franchise comes under my control I will ensure that stations are staffed to adequate levels.’

Editor’s Notes:

·        Ken Livingstone’s Press Release is here  (please scroll down): http://www.labourinlondon.org.uk/news/index.htm