Tube boss apologises for shutdown

Tim O'Toole, Managing Director of the London Underground, made an apology (sort of) on London Today, ITV's local news last night.


He said: "We're sorry that our people endured the same conditions as they did struggling to get to work. But, they have to know we worked very hard with hundreds, literally hundreds of people out last night, clearing the network to make sure we could offer them a service this morning."

Transport for London commissioner Peter Hendy also apologised for the disruption to the service. He told the BBC "It was the worst snowfall for two decades. The local authorities deployed everything they had on Sunday night and Monday morning, but it just wasn't enough for the circumstances."

But with more snow expected on Thursday & Friday, and the Met Office saying "Be prepared", will our transport system cope this time?

Stephen Almabritis from the Federation of Small Businesses is unhappy, as the disruption cost the UK economy an estimated £3.5 billion. He said "One of the world's biggest econimies should not be grinding to a halt, even if it is only once in every ten years. We are calling on Boris Johnson to call in the mayors of cities including Ontario, Vancouver and Moscow and just pick their brains. What is it they do that we don't?"

London's Transport recovers after wrong amount of snow

After yesterday's "Arctic" conditions, with London's worst snowfall in 18 years, looks like we will have an easier journey into work this morning. Most of the London Underground seems to be working and at time of writing (7.20am) only the Circle Line is completely suspended due to a broken down train. There are part suspensions on the District, Bakerloo & Hammersmith & City Lines, so check the Tube's website before you leave home.


Here's the view from my study today, with the District Line coming in from Richmond, so err... luckily, I'll be able to get into town.

Most of the main roads have been cleared of snow, so most of London's buses are back on the road. However TfL said "Five routes are currently suspended linked to the volume of gritting taking place on local roads and there may be reduced services on some other routes."

The Congestion Charge, which Mayor Boris Johnson lifted yesterday, is back to normal operation today. You'll be pleased to hear that the wrong type of snow wasn't blamed for our transport system not coping. Yesterday The Mayor said:

"There's no doubt about it, this is the right kind of snow, it's just the wrong kind of quantities.

"My message to the heavens is: 'You've put on a fantastic display of snow power but that is probably quite enough'."


I like how in yesterday's interview above Boris manages some clever avoidance. Johnson says "We've actually been quite successful with the Tube network". The interviewer responds rather quickly with "If this was successful I'd like to see what unsuccessful was like".