Sadiq Khan accused of putting women at risk by keeping Night Tube closed

Sadiq Khan has been accused of putting women at risk by keeping the Night Tube closed.

The service, which closed in March last year, is only scheduled to resume in 2022 despite soaring Uber costs and a fuel shortage.

Ministers have urged Mr Khan to restart the Night Tube as soon as possible in the wake of the Sarah Everard case.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Minister for London Paul Scully said: “The Mayor needs to give people convenient, affordable choices about how to travel home safely at night. It’s not enough to talk tough on social media – leadership in London requires action.

“A well-lit Night Tube with support from staff and the British Transport Police gives women a safe, rapid route home from events. We need this service reintroducing ASAP which will create demand; improve safety and in turn support the recovery of London’s night time economy.”

Caroline Nokes MP said that delaying the reopening of the service was “putting women at more risk”.

“I would like to know what the Met Police will be doing to keep women, especially women, safe,” she said.

“As the nights have got darker and as we move towards the Christmas period, you can expect more people will be out celebrating and wanting to find a safe way home.”

Uber fares in London have soared amid a shortage of drivers and a rising demand.

A 20 minute journey in the capital can cost around £30.

Demand for TfL services are increasing amid the reopening of London’s nighttime economy.

A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: “Sadiq is committed to taking action to improve safety for women in the capital and has been clear he wants to open the Night Tube as quickly as possible. He has urged TfL to look into the feasibility of getting one or two lines reopened this year, which we hope will be possible.

“TfL continues to run as close to a full service as possible across all their services, and the Tube continues to serve central London with last trains leaving around 01:00 and starting again at 05:30. There is also an extensive night bus network that continues to operate across the city every night.”

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