Metronet monitoring panel must be independent - Caroline Pidgeon

11.20.00am GMT Thu 29th Oct 2009

Responding to this morning's announcement that the Mayor of London will appoint a panel to monitor the progress of London Underground in managing the Metronet contracts for upgrading the Tube, Caroline Pidgeon AM, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson and Chair of the London Assembly's Transport Committee said:

"It is appalling that Boris Johnson will be judge and jury in this case by being allowed to appoint all the members of a supposedly "independent" panel to monitor London Underground's work. These Panel members will have to be approved by the Transport Minister, but if in a few months the minister happens to be a Conservative, where's the independence in that ?

"This is a golden opportunity for the London Assembly to be the capital's watchdog on the vital Tube upgrades. The Assembly should appoint the members of a truly independent panel of experts, who should report to the Assembly's Transport Committee. We would then tell the taxpayer what's working and what isn't.

"I fear that with London Underground managing both Metronet contracts, we shall be back to the old days: work postponed, contracts poorly managed, and no proper accountability."

ENDS