Transport Chair’s Briefing today. Nothing but storm clouds on the horizon for committee business between here and the election. The Committee’s report on Congestion Charging has run into political difficulties. The Tories won’t sign up to it because it is not critical enough of the Mayor’s scheme and Labour may not because it is too critical. Strikes me then, that the balance is just right! There are only minor amendments still wanted by Labour – so hopefully will sort by time of meeting next Monday.

As for the report on LTUC (London Transport Users Committee) which is aimed at bringing them into the modern management framework – they are not happy. Many complaints and meetings and lobbying going on. The report simply asks the Transport Committee to agree the report and that it be sent to LTUC for response within a month. Change is always a challenge.

But given that LTUC has as many staff and as much money as London Government itself has for all its scrutiny work, we do have to find a way of making it accountable in a way it has not been used to before.