'Lessons need to be learnt' - Caroline Pidgeon backs investigation into weather related transport chaos

6.23.00pm GMT Tue 3rd Feb 2009

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Assembly Transport spokesperson, and vice chair of the London Assembly's Transport Committee has welcomed the decision by the London Assembly Transport Committee to hold an urgent inquiry into how London transport responded to the snowfall in the last two days.

Caroline Pidgeon commented:

"In the last two days London has seen much of its transport network either come to a halt or severely disrupted. Businesses, schools and public services have all been affected. The total cost in terms of lost business has been immense for the London economy.

"Everyone recognises that the recent weather has been exceptional for London, yet that is no excuse for not examining whether we could have coped far better.

"Basic questions need to be asked, such as why some underground lines were able to stay open, when others closed or had such a pitiful service? Also why is it that the Dockland Light Railway could maintain its service when so many railway lines were completely closed? Questions also need to be asked as to whether London buses have been running far sooner if there had been better co-ordination between Transport for London and the boroughs?

"And while everyone accepts that the weather will cause some disruption to services surely more could have been done to ensure all commuters and travellers had access to accurate and timely information about the services that were available."