Council tax set to rise after rail plans

Council tax bills may have to rise for Londoners to pay for improvements to the suburban rail network.

15:52 16 July 2004

Council tax bills may have to rise for Londoners to pay for improvements to the suburban rail network.

Yesterday Alistair Darling, transport minister, announced plans for the future of the Rail Network, which opposition MPs have said imply heavy increases in council tax.

As part of the rail plans the Mayor of London would be given extra powers over the rail network inside Greater London to buy in extra services if need be or to make savings.

Ken Livingston will also have the right to transfer funds between different transport modes.

This, Conservatives have said, raises the prospect of London council taxpayers having to pay for any improvements themselves through the council tax.

Roger Evans, Conservative transport spokesman on the London Assembly, made no bones about making his feelings towards the proposal known.

He said: "This White Paper seems to be about just shifting the deckchairs on the Titanic.

"Responsibilities and powers are to be moved around between different bodies and yet not one firm commitment to improve travel for rail commuters has been made."

Mr Evans concluded: "Central Government looks like it is trying to pass the funding buck. Whilst there could be interesting synergies in fares across London, there are also boundary issues that could mean the GLA, local authorities in the South East and Train Operating Companies all having to negotiate about the London to Brighton routes, for instance."