A vote in the European Parliament today is being seen as a further set-back for embattled Transport Secretary Stephen Byers.
Amendments to a Bill on the privatisation of transport were accepted, making it clear that bodies like the GLA, rather than the Government, who should take crucial decisions over privatisations such as London Underground, and that they should be exempt from tendering or being forced into PFI contracts.
Jean Lambert, London's Green MEP said: "This vote sends a strong message to Stephen Byers. He now has no excuse to interfer with London's transport. He should scrap PFI and leave decisions over the running of the tube to the the GLA, who were elected to look after the capital's transport needs."
Jenny Jones, Green GLA member added: "This is a recognition that bodies like the GLA have the expertise and the public accountability to run large transport projects. The EU is, in effect, telling the Government to drop PFI for London Underground and it allows us to run our own transport system for the benefit of London."
ENDS
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