Assembly gets tough over Northern Line

Members of the Assembly today voted unanimously on a motion which calls for Mr Livingstone to report his progress next week.

The debate follows disruption on the Tube line last Friday when half of its trains were stopped from running after brake safety checks.

Daily safety checks were brought in before Friday after the Northern Line's emergency braking system had failed.

Although a full service has since resumed, the line has been hit by signal failures and maintenance works.

London Assembly deputy chairman Conservative Brian Coleman lives in an area of north London served by the Northern Line.

He has been a vocal critic of the Northern Line in the past.

"In the 90s it was known as the Misery Line," he said. "It's now living up to its old reputation.

"I want the Mayor to draw up an action plan. No more hot air. No more rows about who's at fault. I want action."

London Assembly Liberal Democrat transport spokesman, Geoff Pope, said: "Enough is enough on the Northern Line.

"The state of the line has been raised time and again with the companies who maintain it, yet things have only gone from bad to worse.

"When passenger safety is compromised on a Tube line, immediate action must be taken including bringing maintenance back in house to fix the problem.

"London Underground should exercise its step in rights and take control of the repairs whenever passenger safety is put at risk."

Bob Crow, head of the RMT union which represents Tube staff, said: "The private sector is making millions each week out of its contracts on the Tube yet it is not only failing to deliver promised improvements but has also demonstrably failed to maintain a crucial safety system to acceptable standards.

"Our members have the legal right to refuse to undertake duties that would put themselves or the travelling public in danger and RMT will give complete support any driver who refuses to move a Northern Line train on safety grounds."