Polls support GLC
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THE GREATER London Council's fight for survival against Government plans to abolish it has taken to the streets, with two opinion polls claiming an increase in GIC sympathisers.
A survey of over 1,000 Londoners carried out for a London television programme claimed that 59 per cent disapproved of the abolition proposals. This is a five per cent increase on a similar poll carried out in October.
The second survey, carried out by the GLC, said that 90 per cent of Londoners wanted a direct say in services and fare levels on London buses. This figure shows a six per cent swing in favour of the GLC transport policies since its last poll in August.
The poll also indicated large support for free public transport for the elderly and handicapped.
GLC Transport Committee chair Dave Wetzel said: "These figures indicate that the Government is flying in the face of the vast majority of Londoners in trying to push through its Transport Bill to take away London transport from the GLC."
Mr Wetzel also attacked the Government's proposals for travel for the elderly: "By the Transport Secretary's plan to split up the GLC's unified and London-wide present scheme guaranteeing free travel for one million senior Londoners, he is effectively tearing up the travel permits of thousands of pensioners, as many boroughs won't be able to afford to run a scheme or may be opposed to it.
Mr Wetzel continued: "This Bill paves the way for LT's profitable services to be sold off, fares to rise and services to worsen,