A report on the future of the West End has called for a 24 hour tube service and the creation of an administrative body to ensure the area fully realises its potential in terms of business and tourism.
The West End Commission published its findings this week following a six month study into the national and international role of the area which is home to over 86,000 businesses, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and a host of theatres, museums and galleries.
The investigation, chaired by the chief executive of Manchester City Council Sir Howard Bernstein, concludes that the underground must extend its operating hours to make central London accessible round-the-clock to further boost the night-time economy.
Currently tube services out of the West End cease at around 12.30am leaving many workers and customers struggling to get home safely. The report recognises that Transport for London has vital maintenance work to conduct but points out that cities like New York and Paris face the same problem yet are able to operate later services.
Leader of Westminster Council Philippa Roe welcomed the proposal. “At the weekend it is now difficult to walk down the streets of the West End at 2am because they are so packed. Anything that makes it easier for people to disperse and get home, we are 100 per cent behind,” she said.
However Ms Roe rejected the suggestion that a chief executive should be appointed to oversee a new administrative partnership. This could be done by existing local government officials, she said.
Transport for London says that it is already considering extending the underground service at the weekend and is prepared to enter into ‘meaningful discussions’ about the possibility of later trains on some services.
West End business leaders support the proposal, saying that it would have enormous benefits for the night-time economy.
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