Transport secretary Stephen Byers is set to go ahead with controversial plans for a public-private partnership for London Underground, according to press reports.

A "value-for-money" analysis of the three private sector bids is thought to have backed the controversial part-privatisation projects, allowing Byers to announce his endorsement next Thursday.

Forum Response: Transport for London

A spokesman for Transport for London told ePolitix.com: "Our view hasn't changed - despite these press reports. We believe that the PPP is fatally and fundamentally flawed and the report which London Underground tried to suppress last Summer proved this.

"It is also premature to say that it will all be completed by March 20 given the fact that the Health and Safety Commission has not signed off on the safety case and the value for money analyses have not been published yet."