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Unions welcome reopening of Night Tube but warn it must be ‘thoroughly risk assessed’

THE partial return of London’s Night Tube is welcome but must be “thoroughly risk assessed,” transport unions stressed yesterday.  

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that trains on the Central and Victoria Lines will run all night on Fridays and Saturdays from November 27 after being suspended in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The announcement came after tens of thousands of people signed a petition calling for the return of late-night services to help protect women and girls.

The capital’s Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan, who introduced the Night Tube in 2016, said he hoped full services would return soon to “make our city as safe as possible for all Londoners.”

TSSA organising director Lorraine Ward said the step is “the right thing to do at the right time.

“[It] will not only help boost revenue and the night-time economy, but play a vital role in the safety of women, and workers generally, after dark. 

“What we need now from government is a meaningful long-term financial settlement for London Underground and services across TfL which will allow our capital city to thrive.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch also supported the move, but warned the Night Tube had been “a magnet for violent, abusive and anti-social behaviour” before its suspension. 

He said: “The reintroduction of the service must be thoroughly risk assessed with the involvement of our reps and it is also important that rosters are agreed which don’t leave staff burnt out and exposed to intolerable pressures.

“We warned months ago that slashing 200 Night Tube train driver positions would create a staffing nightmare and [bosses] need to start facing up to that reality.”

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