Fears for LT's 'uture
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'Disaster' warning ii !rants cut
SOARING FARES and a massive cutback in the reshaping of London's transport system would he the result if Government plans to slash its financial help to the capital go ahead.
This is the gloomy forecast of Mr Jim Daly, chairman of the council's transport committee, who fears there will be stark consequences if London is "shortchanged." He said last week that both the Government and the GLC had done their sums on what minimum expenditure will be needed over the years 1976/1981.
But the difference between
Jim Daly talks to a London busman.
each total is such that the Council has described the Government's figures as "unrealistic and unacceptable." Where the GLC claims that average minimum expenditure in each year of the five-year period will amount to £139m the Government figure is £87m —roughly only two-thirds.
The GLC also maintains that pushing ahead with the task of making London's transport system more satisfactory could involve expenditure on average of up to £175m each year. The Government's alternative figure is £108m—less than even the GLC's minimum forecast. The Council's improvement plans include minimising congestion; where necessary assuring priority for public transport over other road users; restraining private motorists and regulating freight transport.
This means the introduction of bus lanes, and speedbuses; cutting down on parking spaces; bringing in lorry routes and special lorry parks; and generally encouraging more freight transport to use rail and water.
But, said Mr Daly, all this may have to go since the Government has already said that it intends severely to cut its financial grant to the running costs of London Transport.
"A situation could arise in which the GLC will be unable even to honour its existing commitments and to discharge its minimum statutory duties without drawing extra money from London's fare-payers. Fares have already been increased this year and will be again by an average of 25 per cent in November—and there will need to he an increase next summer for reasons of inflation. But if the Government maintains its intention to reduce its support, fares will have to rise dramatically — possibly soar."
Unique case
Mr Daly said that the Greater London scene is unique because although the capital only occupies a one hundredth part of the country in area, one eighth of Britain's population lives there. It also has one sixth of all motor vehicles.
"While we accept that in the current economic situation expenditure has to be curbed to the utmost we also know that too drastic cuts in London's transport system expenditure could have disastrous consequences. That is what we are asking the Government •to bear in mind when allocating grants."