London Mayor Sadiq Khan recently shared exciting news about increased funding for public transport in the city. The capital has been granted £100 million as part of the Chancellor’s £500 million boost to the Affordable Homes Programme across England. While this was seen as a positive development by Mr. Khan, City Hall Conservatives expressed disappointment, stating that the Budget was not sufficient for London’s needs.
Mr. Khan highlighted the importance of the £485 million allocated to Transport for London (TfL) for major infrastructure projects over the next financial year. This funding will support initiatives such as ordering new trains for the Piccadilly and Elizabeth lines, improving signalling on the District and Metropolitan lines, and acquiring trams for south London. Additionally, the Budget enables the exploration of new trains for the Bakerloo line, a crucial upgrade considering the current rolling stock dates back to 1972.
Despite the progress, Mr. Khan could not provide a timeline for when the new Bakerloo line trains would be operational. He emphasized the need for financial security before embarking on such projects. The Budget did not address funding for the proposed Bakerloo line extension into south-east London, leaving some uncertainties regarding future plans for the underground network.
In terms of housing, an additional £500 million has been allocated to the Affordable Homes Programme, with London receiving £100 million of this sum. This funding increase aims to support the delivery of affordable properties in the city, although specific details about the number of homes to be built remain unclear. Mr. Khan expressed optimism about the Budget, describing it as the best one he has encountered during his time as mayor.
However, Neil Garratt, the leader of City Hall Conservatives, criticized the Budget, calling it a letdown for Londoners and questioning Mr. Khan’s advocacy efforts. He raised concerns about the mayor’s priorities and urged him to enhance his performance to ensure that London receives adequate support from the government. Despite differing opinions on the Budget’s impact, the focus remains on addressing the city’s transportation and housing needs effectively to enhance the quality of life for residents.
