Assembly demands London rail investment

A London Assembly report has called for major new investment in the capital's rail services in order to cope with future demand.

The scrutiny body's transport committee said on Monday that without more cash the network would not be able to meet requirements set to be needed from it.

The report pointed out that three quarters of all UK rail journeys start or end in the city, a third of which exceed the guidelines for overcrowding.

It contrast it claimed that the capital does not get an equivalent share of national funding despite being crucial to the economy.

"Dingy, cramped stations, trains delayed or cancelled, overcrowded carriages: this is the daily reality for many rail passengers in London," committee deputy chairman Geoff Pope said.

"There is compelling evidence  that London’s rail services are in need of vital modernisation if we are to prevent the network from seizing up."

The report recommended that London get a specific pot of money from the government's Transport Innovation Fund as well as extra business levies as an alternative means of funding.

"Sustained economic growth needs sustained investment in the infrastructure which drives this growth," Pope argued.

"In  short, an integrated transport policy is essential for London's and the UK's growth."