The Reader: TfL is a vital part of London and must be helped

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps
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4 November 2020
WEST END FINAL

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I was pleased to see the Transport Secretary acknowledge the scale of emergency funding required by TfL because of the pandemic (“Why we agreed another TfL bailout”, November 2). I also welcome his insistence that he wants to devolve more power to London.

However in criticising TfL’s financial performance, I assume he forgot that TfL borrowing went up by significantly more —  £7 billion — under the previous mayor. Grant Shapps also failed to mention that Boris Johnson left TfL with a £1.5 billion annual operating deficit, which Sadiq Khan quickly rectified.

Public transport is depended on in London like nowhere else. It is uniquely crucial to tackling already high levels of pollution and congestion. This is why London’s Mayor won’t forget the importance of public transport in this city — a vision that the Government should get behind.

Heidi Alexander,  Deputy Mayor for Transport, London

Editor’s reply

Dear Heidi

Setting aside which mayor improved or worsened TfL’s financial position, the key issue going forward is: how does London pay for benefits such as free travel for under 18s?  

I welcome Sadiq’s indication that the C-charge could help here but dislike the thought of a hefty council tax surcharge to preserve other perks. The Government has accepted that most of TfL’s issues have been caused by Covid-19, but Sadiq needs to cut spending too.

Ross Lydall, City Hall Editor

Keep Lidos open to protect health

Lidos are a vital service and are currently operating at seemingly no cost to the effort against Covid. Outdoor swimming is inherently safe and conforms well to social distancing, with pre-booked time slots and monitored lanes. We cannot ignore (but can seek to minimise) the effects lockdown has on physical and mental health.

Christopher Hyndman

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