KEN LIVINGSTONE has bashed Boris Johnson over the fate of the Piccadilly line, which now faces an uncertain future due to finance troubles.
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When he was London Mayor, from 2000-2008, Livingstone oversaw plans for much needed upgrade work on the line that would have increased capacity by 24% and cut journey times by 19%, much as the current upgrade to the Northern Line is about to do.
But London Underground boss Mike Brown admitted recently that, under Boris Johnson, the work has no funding and won’t even be considered until at least 2015, if at all.
“When I left office the upgrade work was due for completion by 2018,” said Livingstone.
“But I have a real feeling that it isn’t going to happen.”
“I don’t think Boris and his government understand life in London. I use the Tube and buses every day of my life, but when have you ever seen Boris use the Tube when it wasn’t for a PR stunt?”
In reply, Johnson’s office issued a statement committing the Mayor to producing a “far enhanced service when the Piccadilly line is completed”, but failed to mention any dates.
Meanwhile, one of Johnson’s allies has revealed that the Mayor’s occasional attacks on the government are just for show.
“Both sides recognise that to win [next year’s Mayoral election], the Mayor must separate himself from the Prime Minister,” said Benedict Brogan, of the Tory-supporting Daily Telegraph.
“There is an understanding that when Boris plans to go off reservation, he will alert the high command – an agreed strategy rather than a unilateral declaration of independence.”
