A petition calling on the Mayor of London to reinstate the Night Tube has attracted tens of thousands of signatures as women look for safer ways to get home following the horrific murders of Sabina Nessa and Sarah Everard.
The service, which closed in March last year, is only scheduled to resume in 2022.
The petition was started by Ella Watson who said: “In the UK and London women and girls are unsafe on the streets, especially at night.
“The rightful outcry at the recent murders of Sabina Nessa and Sarah Everard on London’s streets, epitomises the fear women face of walking alone or standing on the streets in the evening and at night.”
She added, though the tube is not perfect, thanks to CCTV and well-lit platforms “it is the best transport option to ensure millions of women across London can get home safely in the evenings and at night this coming winter”.
Sarah Everard
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.”
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.”
Sabina Nessa
