Lib Dems launch tube survey in Islington

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd Apr 2004

Stranded local residents and commuters were amazed to find expert help at hand and a chance to complain when Caledonian Tube station closed on Wednesday morning and they were diverted to Holloway tube. Local Liberal Democrats, including Laura Willoughby, Bridget Fox and the leader of the council Steve Hitchins, had chosen that morning to launch their new tube survey at Holloway. They will be out and about at all tube stations in Islington over the next couple of weeks asking people about their experiences Only last week the Lib Dems slammed the news that there has been a record level of failures since the running of the Tube was handed over to private companies, as part of the Labour Government's discredited 'Public Private Partnership' initiative. Laura Willoughby said: "Figures show that the tube is getting worse day by day. We want to ask those who use the tube regularly to find out how bad they think it is. "Labour claimed that the PPP would improve the Tube but it's gone from bad to worse. Long suffering commuters in Islington know only too well that we have more problems than ever which is causing severe overcrowding and cattle truck style journeys." Bridget Fox adds: "I know from personal experience that being a commuter in Islington isn't easy. Train delays have more than doubled since Labour took over, we're still waiting on all the major new transport links they promised for Islington and overcrowding on the tube is a serious problem. "Only last week after a train broke down the Victoria line was shut in the middle of morning rush hour which caused chaos on other tube lines and on the already over-stretched buses. Commuters shouldn't have to put up with this. "As part of the Lib Dem campaign for better public transport in London we'll be out and about at all tube stations in Islington over the next couple of weeks asking users about their experiences. I won't be surprised if many people feel let down by Labour's inaction on this issue." This is part of a London-wide survey of tube passengers being co-ordinated by Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes. Simon Hughes is campaigning for police at every major tube stations, late night running on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and better co-ordination of maintenance works. &nbsp