The Railway Inspectorate has published a number of detailed safety inspections of the London Underground.

Railway Inspectorate officials are continuing to check the Tube for safety issues as part of the process of examining the public private partnership.

A total of 52 "issues" have been logged by the inspectors and each has to be addressed before any acceptance of the "safety case" which is critical to final approval of the PPP. Stephen Byers has said that the PPP will not go ahead if it is not safe.

Forum Response: London Underground

Mike Strzelecki, director of safety at London Underground, told ePolitix.com: "We are working with the Inspectorate on this and we have absolutely nothing to hide.

"On the contrary, we welcome robust and independent investigation by professional regulators in the manner we have seen from the Railway Inspectorate. As with earlier issues raised by the Inspectorate, we will work through each issue to ensure it is thoroughly addressed.

"The inspectors have raised two key concerns regarding how LUL satisfies itself that the infrastructure companies comply with asset maintenance and safety standards and LUL's progress in delivering its commitments on safety improvements.

"We will focus on these two areas as a priority, but all the issues will receive detailed attention. The onus is on the Underground to respond adequately to these concerns before HMRI can consider accepting our safety case. This is a rigorous process designed to ensure that the good safety track record of the Underground is not only maintained, but further improved."

"The PPP is specifically designed to deliver the improved maintenance and investment in the system that is so desperately needed, and which in itself will contribute to the safety of the network. Fixing the issues raised will take as long as it takes - there is no way safety will be compromised by cutting corners to meet deadlines."

Forum Response: Transport for London

Bob Kiley, commissioner of Transport for London, told ePolitix.com: "The report from the Railway Inspectorate only increases my concern about long term safety issues on the London Underground. It clearly shows that in this period when the Tube is still publicly run serious problems are arising.

"I, and the mayor, have long said the government's privatisation plans store up problems for the future.

"My years of experience running complex transport systems prove to me that the government's plans are fundamentally flawed because they separate the management of the system from the running of the trains. It is a recipe for disaster and should be stopped in its tracks now before it is too late."