Mayor calls for ringfencing of transport budget

Date: 13/5/2013

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has hit out at claims that cuts ought to be made to the capital's transport budget, warning that it could have an unwelcome impact on the local economy.

There are fears within the Transport for London (TfL) offices that government ministers will seek to reduce their overall budget due to ongoing economic hardship.

What’s more, it has been suggested that the London 2012 Olympics has distorted the picture, with TfL being handed an enviable level of investment as a means of meeting the one-off challenge.

However, Mr Johnson has blasted the suggestion, arguing that the transport network is a pillar of the wider London economy.

"We've removed 25 per cent of the directors from TfL and disposed of 40 buildings around London," he remarked.

"Like every responsible department we are trying to make what savings we can. What we won't accept is cuts to vital investment programmes."

Posted by Sarah Bailey 

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