The group of a hundred or so demonstrators marched around City Hall several times, led by a coffin for the line carried by 'undertakers' representing private contractors MTR Laing and a 3 piece jazz band, before a short rally.

As well as the the poor value for the huge investment of public money that demonstrators expect when profits are paid to the shareholders of the eight or so private companies to be involved, the private companies bring in a worsening of working conditions and lower wages. There are also fears for safety, not least because the new line will run using two different signalling systems, part from Network Rail and part by London Underground. The line is also among those where guards will no longer be present on trains from 2011. A recent poll showed that 74% of Londoners want the line to continue to be operated in the public sector.

The East London line, running between Whitechapel and New Cross/New Cross Gate and an important link across the Thames in East London closes on 22nd December for extensive works. The closure and improvment is good news, although it is a shame that it will take until 2010 before the first stage is complete and part of the new line opens. Service levels are promised to be higher than at present also.

The closure will lead to chaos for many, not least as the alternative services to be provided include no way to cross the river. Between Wapping and Rotherhithe you are on your own - and it is rather hard to believe TfL's excuse it could not find buses to fit the Rotherhithe tunnel. They could even have set up a ferry!

It is good news that by 2010 trains will run from Dalston Junction (and by 2011 from Highbury and Islington) all the way to New Cross, Crystal Palace or West Croydon, and that new stations will serve Hoxston, Haggerston, and a rebuilt Shoreditch, as well as existing stations between New Cross Gate and the new southern terminii.

Stage 2 - not yet funded, and may never be - would also include a link through a new Surrey Canal Road station to exisiting track through Queens Road Peckham and on to Clapham Junction.

More pictures shortly on My London Diary  http://mylondondiary.co.uk
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